European Commission Approves Groundbreaking Rules to Safeguard Rights of Gig Workers

The European Union is set to introduce new rules to improve the employment status of gig workers. With over 500 digital labor platforms currently operating in the EU, these new rules aim to provide gig workers with essential labor and social rights. The European Parliament and the EU Member States have agreed on these new rules, following proposals by the European Commission.

The new rules will focus on recognizing gig workers as employees, allowing them to access benefits such as a legal minimum wage, collective bargaining, health and safety protections, paid leave, and unemployment benefits. Additionally, digital employers will be required to ensure human oversight of automated systems to guarantee labor rights and proper working conditions. Gig workers will also have the right to contest any automated decisions made by their employers.

Employers will also need to inform and consult gig workers on any algorithmic decisions that may affect them. They will also be required to report on the location of gig workers when performing labor-related tasks, especially in cross-border situations within the EU.

Before these new protections can be implemented, they will need final approval from the European Parliament and the Council. Once approved, stakeholders will have two years to implement the new rules into law. Similar protections for gig workers were introduced in 2021, and in the US, some cities have implemented gig worker protections despite pushback from companies like Uber and Lyft.