New Legislation To Protect Gig Workers In The EU

Good news for gig workers throughout the EU as the Platform Work Directive has finally been adopted by the European Parliament with 554 votes in favour, 56 against, and 24 abstentions.  It has been a long arduous process for the EU to reach agreement, and several times it looked like it wouldn’t happen at all. The […]

Gig Workers Health At Risk Due To Outdated Legislation

A report published by IOSH highlights that outdated Health & Safety legislation has not kept pace with modern working practices, leaving the ever-growing gig economy to fend for themselves. Gig Economy Work Is Unhealthy IOSH surveyed over 1,000 gig workers, 40% of whom said they have experienced stress caused by their work, and a third […]

EU Platform Work Directive Receives Parliamentary Support

The European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee overwhelmingly gave its backing to the EU Platform Work Directive agreement last week.  Out of 40 MEPs on the committee, 37 voted in favour, three against.  This now paves the way for ratification by the whole of the European Parliament next month. Why is it controversial? The […]

EU Platform Work Directive IS Going Ahead

After several years of back and forth, a provisional agreement has finally been reached meaning that the EU Platform Workers Directive will now be going ahead.  The purpose of the directive has always been to protect workers from being exploited by platforms, with employment status being a key feature of the legislation. Presumption of employee […]

Bitter Blow For Gig Workers As EU Legislation Blocked

The much-debated and long-anticipated EU Platform Work Directive has been blocked due to member states either abstaining or refusing to support the latest version.  The vote last week was already a last ditch attempt following years of negotiations. What is the issue?  The proposals have been controversial from the outset, particularly in relation to the […]

Gig Workers Take Back Control To Combat Bias Algorithms

Cleaners, couriers and cabbies from around the world are taking control of their work by creating new apps without the bias they face from some traditional gig platforms.  In South Africa a group of female domestic workers have helped develop We Care, a platform that links women and work by geographic location which saves them […]

Taxi Drivers Urged To Join Fight For Fair Pay Against Uber Rival Veezu

Up to 12,500 taxi drivers working for the taxi operator Veezu could be entitled to thousands of pounds in compensation after being denied holiday pay and the National Minimum Wage.  Veezu currently treats its drivers as self-employed contractors, but drivers claim they should be treated as workers and given the appropriate workers’ rights and protection under […]

EU Finally Agrees On Proposed Platform Work Directive

After more than a year of protracted negotiations, the European Union Council has finally agreed their Platform Work Directive which could see gig economy workers presumed employees even if they are engaged on a self-employed basis.  The proposed legislation includes the following provisions: Seven criteria for deciding if a platform worker should be considered an […]

Half Of Gig Economy Workers Earn Below Minimum Wage

A new report shows more than half of gig economy workers in the UK are paid below the minimum wage. The study, led by the University of Bristol, found 52% of gig workers doing jobs ranging from data entry to food delivery were earning below the minimum wage. On average respondents were earning £8.97 per […]