rejection of legislation to strengthen the rights of platform workers

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rejection of legislation to strengthen the rights of platform workers

Ten days ago, Parliament and member states agreed to strengthen the rights of workers on digital platforms like Uber or Deliveroo. But several member states ultimately refused to give their approval to this legislation which notably provided for the reclassification as employees of workers currently considered self-employed.

1 min

With our correspondent in Brussels, Jean-Jacques Héry

Ultimately, there was not even a vote on Friday during the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) which brings together the ambassadors of the 27 member states. It was in fact impossible to achieve a qualified majority on the text, that is to say the validation of 55% of the Member States representing at least 65% of the population of the European Union. Indeed, France and around ten countries strongly criticized the text, while Germany wanted to abstain anyway.

This blockage took place on a directive which was to establish a common rule throughout the Union for drivers and delivery people on platforms, by establishing a presumption of employment. For example, if a platform imposes a certain number of criteria on its workers, such as a uniform, working hours or even prohibits them from working for other companies, then independent workers could, if they wished, obtain a contract. work and requalification as an employee. 5.5 million people would be affected according to the European Commission.

New negotiations to come

The left reacted firmly to this failure of the negotiations. “ This government prefers Uber to workers’ rights and Europe », declared MEP Aurore Lalucq of the Socialist and Democratic group, while others denounce the frenzied lobbying of the platforms.

The text will therefore now have to be renegotiated under the new Belgian presidency and reaching an agreement before the next European elections in June 2024 appears very unlikely.



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