REGULATING PLATFORM WORK: REFLECTIONS ON THE PROPOSED EU DIRECTIVE

In December 2021, the European Commission proposed a set of measures to improve the working conditions of platform workers.

 

Long-anticipated proposal for a directive on platform work is based on a rebuttable presumption of employment, which essentially means that any platform worker (including those working on online platforms for data coding or graphic design, as well on on-location platforms such as ride-hailing and food delivery) will be entitled to social benefits, regardless of their employment status. Furthermore, if monitoring, limits on tasks and working hours, and restrictions on building a client base, among others, are exercised over workers, they will be assumed to be employees, enjoying all the rights as those in traditional employment (e.g., minimum wage). In addition to addressing (miss)classification, the proposal also focuses on ensuring fairness and transparency in the area of algorithmic management.

 

Acknowledging the long-term impact of proposed measures, Reshaping Work invited commentaries on the proposed directive from academics, company representatives, work associations, unions and other parties with deep knowledge on the topic and stake in the debate. Ten selected articles are the result of this invitation. They reflect on the directive’s potential impact on workers’ positions, working conditions especially in relation to algorithmic management, and on business models.