Gender Equality in Virtual Work II.: Regulatory Suggestions

This article focuses on gender equality in virtual work, taking special account of the regulatory
challenges. It contributes to broader debates on the workers' situation in the sharing economy in two
ways. Firstly, it makes an inaugural attempt to evaluate the implications of the new forms of work in
the sharing economy for female virtual workers, looking at the issue of equal treatment. Secondly, it
offers preliminary suggestions regarding a future regulation to improve equality between genders in
virtual work.
This is the second part of a paper on gender equality in virtual work. The first part (published in
the 2018/1 issue of the Hungarian Labour Law E-Journal) defined "virtual work", classified its two
basic forms and emphasised the specific traits of this form of work to demonstrate the need of special
protection against discrimination. Subsequently, it identified the possible beneficial and adverse
implications of virtual work for female workers and gender equality.
This second part firstly provides a summary of the gender equality law of the European Union
that serves as a point of reference when speaking about antidiscrimination law. Section 2 offers three
normative perspectives and suggestions as to how to enhance gender equality in virtual work. Finally,
the paper concludes.