Skip to content
Magazine
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
SUBSCRIBE
  • About Us
  • Belgium News
    • Belgium Police News
    • Brussels News
  • EU Institutions News
    • European Commission News
    • European Parliament News
    • European Council News
  • Europe News
  • World News
  • Belgium Business News
  • Culture and Society News
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
  • About Us
  • Belgium News
    • Belgium Police News
    • Brussels News
  • EU Institutions News
    • European Commission News
    • European Parliament News
    • European Council News
  • Europe News
  • World News
  • Belgium Business News
  • Culture and Society News
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
SUBSCRIBE

EU plans increased labour rights for gig workers

Sarhan Basem by Sarhan Basem
9 December 2021
in EU Institutions News

Brussels (Brussels Morning) The European Commission today announced its draft proposal for new rules regulating gig economy workers, the aim being to provide them with greater rights and employment benefits.

While some countries, such as Spain, have already moved to increase the protection of workers taking part in the so-called gig economy, this is the first initiative of its kind on a Europe-wide level. As such, it still has to pass review by the European Parliament and ultimately will need to be greenlit by all 27 member states as well.

“No one is trying to kill, stop or hinder the development of the platform economy”, Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner, Nicolas Schmidt, declared while presenting the proposal. He noted, however, that new rules will be required to ensure that the new business models, such as those used by delivery and personal transport platforms, “uphold the labour and social standards which have been established in the EU.”

The draft rules envision digital platforms being required to classify their drivers and delivery personnel as employees, and therefore provide them with a minimum wage, paid holidays and pension rights. In the past, most online food delivery companies have classified their workers as self-employed contractors, exploiting a legal loophole allowing them to pay them less than the minimum wage and to avoid having to pay healthcare and pension benefits for them.

Lobby group “Delivery Platforms Europe,” which includes Uber, Deliveroo, Glovo and Delivery Hero, warned in a statement that the new rules, as proposed, could lead to job losses in the future.

Petra Bolster, of the Dutch labour union FNV, also criticised the rules, cautioning that they leave another gap for companies to exploit. Since  the rules provide companies with a list of five tests that they can use to show their couriers are genuinely self-employed, Bolster argued that the delivery platforms will use these tests as a blueprint to “get around the criteria and get away with everything.”

Related News:

  • Spain to make gig workers full employees of their delivery platforms
  • Portuguese government aims to make gig workers employees
  • The workers’ right to disconnect and disconnection from labour rights
  • Skilled migrant workers to enjoy increased access to EU jobs market
Tags: News
Next Post

German exports exceeded pre-crisis levels in October

Latest post

EU-elections-UK

EU elections: UK looks on from the “outside”

1 year ago
Galeries-Royales-Saint-Hubert

What Makes Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert an “Institution”?

1 year ago

Most Read

    Follow Brussels Morning
    Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin

    Browse Important News

    Belgium News
    Brussels News
    Culture and Society News
    Economy News
    EU Institutions News
    European Commission News
    European Council News
    European Parliament News
    Europe News
    Health And Fitness News
    Southeast Europe News
    Sustainable Perspective
    World News
    Diplomacy News
    US Elections News

    About Us

    Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

    More Info

    • About Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookies Policy

    Join Our Newsletter

    Brussels Morning Newspaper – All Rights Reserved © 2024

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Belgium News
      • Belgium Police News
      • Brussels News
    • Brussels Bubble
      • European Parliament News
      • European Commission News
      • European Council News
    • Wider Europe
      • Member States
    • World News
    • Business & Society
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Culture & Society
    • Policy Talks
      • Place de la Bourse
      • The Macro-Economist
      • Sustainable Perspective
      • Ambassador’s Corner
      • The American Angle
      • Southeast Europe
    • Print Magazine

    Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT