The European Parliament wants to provide platform workers, such as Uber drivers or Deliveroo couriers, with better working conditions and social protection. The European Parliament believes that the European Commission should establish that platform workers are not 'their own boss' but regular employees entitled to wages, sick leave, and insurance.
Uber drivers and Deliveroo couriers currently work as self-employed freelancers, even though they cannot decide how they perform their work or what the price of their service is. That is why a Dutch court ruled earlier this week that Uber must employ its drivers.
GreenLeft MEP Kim van Sparrentak negotiated the new proposals: “This is a major step in abolishing ‘bogus self-employment.’ We will not let platforms determine if and how workers receive rights.”
“This legal case in the Netherlands is just one of more than 100 lawsuits across Europe, where platform workers almost always win. Now politics must take responsibility, because the platforms are ready with an army of lawyers and, even after many lost cases, have no intention of changing voluntarily. Together in Europe, we can stand up to these large platforms.”
The European Commission will present a legislative proposal in December, which will then be negotiated by the European Parliament and EU countries. Van Sparrentak will negotiate on behalf of the European Greens regarding the legislation.
Labour Party MEP Agnes Jongerius is also satisfied with the new proposals. “Platform workers must receive the same protection as any other employee, and platforms must follow the same rules as any other company. We are reversing the burden of proof now. Platform workers will automatically be employees and will no longer have to claim their rights individually. It will no longer be the platform worker who has to go to court, but the platform,” Jongerius said in a press release.