The European Union’s digital platform work directive was designed to improve the working conditions of gig economy workers, which includes millions of individuals driving and delivering for companies such as Uber and Just Eat. However, on February 15th, the implementation of this directive was blocked by the vetoes and abstentions of Germany, Greece, France, and Estonia. This decision has been met with criticism from some members of the European Parliament who find it incomprehensible.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital platform companies experienced a surge in revenue while their workers continued to operate as contractors with limited employment rights. These workers risked their health to provide essential services during the pandemic. The pandemic highlighted the importance of these low-paid frontline workers and led to significant legal victories for their rights against these companies.
In Spain, the UK, and the Netherlands, major court rulings declared that companies like Uber and Glovo were employers rather than mere intermediaries of their workers. These decisions affirmed the subordination and dependency of workers on these companies, leading to a shift towards recognizing them as salaried employees rather than self-employed contractors. Workers’ rights organizations such as Workers Info Exchange supported these legal battles as a rejection of the false new paradigm of modern work that exploits workers.
