First phase consultation of social partners under Article 154 TFEU on possible action addressing the challenges related to working conditions in platform work

Summary:

Consultation document published by the European Commission on 24 February 2021, aimed at discussing improvements to working conditions for people working through digital labour platforms.

Further information:

As stated in her Political Guidelines, the President of the European Commission acknowledges that digital transformation brings fast change that affects our labour markets. A commitment was made to look at ways to improve labour conditions of platform workers. The Communication A Strong Social Europe for Just Transitions underlines the need for an ambitious social policy moving forward. It notes that the sustainable growth of the platform economy requires improved working conditions for platform workers.

This consultation relates to an initiative aimed at improving the working conditions of platform workers, as announced in the 2021 Commission Work Programme, and in the framework of the Action Plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights. Article 154(2) TFEU provides for a two-stage consultation of social partners for proposals in the social policy field based on Article 153 TFEU. The purpose of this first stage is to invite the views of European social partners on the need and direction of possible EU action to improve the working conditions in platform work. The consultation would remain open for at least six weeks.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

Politico, 22/02/2021: The gig workers we don’t talk about https://www.politico.eu/article/gig-workers-employment-rights-european-commission-regulation/

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News

The Irish Times, 24/02/2021: EU should give gig workers same rights as permanent staff https://www.irishtimes.com/business/work/eu-should-give-gig-workers-same-rights-as-permanent-staff-1.4494115

Reuters, 24/02/2021: EU seeks views on gig workers' rights ahead of possible law https://www.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN2AO1X4

Bloomberg, 24/02/2021: EU Looks to Boost Gig Worker Rights Amid Scrutiny of Platforms https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-24/eu-looks-to-boost-gig-worker-rights-amid-scrutiny-of-platforms

Deutsche Welle, 24/02/2021: EU takes step to help 'gig' economy workers https://p.dw.com/p/3ppaG

Jornal Económico, 24/02/2021: Brussels consults social partners to give rights to Uber and Glovo workers https://www.jornaleconomico.sapo.pt/en/noticias/bruxelas-consulta-parceiros-sociais-para-dar-direitos-aos-trabalhadores-da-uber-e-glovo-705280

Politico, 24/02/2021: Commission launches consultation on platform workers https://www.politico.eu/article/commission-launches-consultation-on-platform-workers-rights/

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Official

European Commission: Press Release. 24/02/2021: Protecting people working through platforms: Commission launches a first-stage consultation of the social partners https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_686

European Commission: Questions and Answers: First stage social partners consultation on improving the working conditions in platform work (24 February) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_21_656

European Commission: Remarks by Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager on the first-stage consultation of European social partners on possible action addressing the challenges related to working conditions in platform work (24 February 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_21_805

European Commission: Remarks by Commissioner Schmit on the first-stage consultation of European social partners on possible action addressing the challenges related to working conditions in platform work (24 February 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_21_806

S&D Group: News, 24/02/2021: Consider platform workers as employees and reverse the burden of proof, S&Ds demand of Commission https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/newsroom/consider-platform-workers-employees-and-reverse-burden-proof-sds-demand-commission

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