New rights for platform workers in Europe’s gig economy

The EU Council adopted Monday new EU rules which aim to strengthen the rights of people working in the gig economy and ensure they enjoy better working conditions. The new rules aim to improve working conditions for the more than 28 million people working in digital labour platforms across the EU.

The platform work directive will make the use of algorithms in human resources management more transparent, ensuring that automated systems are monitored by qualified staff and that workers have the right to contest automated decisions. It will also help correctly determine the employment status of persons working for platforms, enabling them to benefit from any labour rights they are entitled to.

Member states will establish a legal presumption of employment in their legal systems that will be triggered when certain facts indicating control and direction are found. The directive will now be signed by both the Council and the European Parliament and will enter into force following publication in the EU’s Official Journal. Member states will then have two years to incorporate the provisions of the directive into their national legislation.

Source: EUbusiness