How to ensure decent work for the "newly" employed

The modern labor market is undergoing profound transformation, driven by a confluence of structural, technological, and socio-demographic shifts. Key factors shaping this evolution include: 1) the growing demand for flexibility in production and corporate management; 2) the increasing complexity and unstructured nature of work tasks; 3) shifting generational values among new labor market entrants; 4) the rise of novel professions, particularly in creative and digital domains; 5) demographic transitions; and 6) the expansion of alternative economic models (e.g., gig, platform, and sharing economies). Statistical data from the World Bank, ILO, Rosstat, and freelance platforms underscore the accelerating diversification of employment forms, necessitating deeper scholarly and policy engagement. While "new" employment arrangements exhibit high heterogeneity, common characteristics, risks, and opportunities have been identified. Primary risks include income volatility, inadequate social protections, ambiguous employment status, uncertain career trajectories, and legal vulnerabilities -all of which undermine decent work standards. To address these challenges, this study argues for expanding traditional decent work metrics - currently skewed toward industrial-era wage employment - to incorporate six critical dimensions relevant to non-standard workers: economic, technological, professional, psychological, social, and legal security. The proposed indicator framework offers a foundation for public policies supporting "new" workers, as well as corporate strategies aimed at improving conditions for alternative labor forces. Ultimately, while emerging employment models prioritize flexibility, autonomy, and innovation, they also demand adaptive institutional and legal frameworks, robust decent work metrics, and safeguards for social inclusion, professional development, and personal data security. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

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