European Directive: Workers’ rights on digital platforms

A directive was adopted by the Member States of the European Union (2), which regulates and ensures their rights on digital platforms, following a coordinated effort by European trade unions, including the GCC. Millions of workers through digital platforms are to receive minimum wages, sickness benefits and acquire other rights associated with protecting their employment after the adoption of the Platform Work Directive by EU Member States. The unions have succeeded in including in the directive the presumption of employment by reversing the burden of proof. Instead of individual workers going through lengthy judicial procedures to prove that they are workers, it is now up to platform companies to prove that they are not workers. The Directive also recognises the role of trade unions in all aspects of the platform economy, including issues such as algorithm management. Despite calls to weaken these provisions, they were not affected by numerous attacks, which confirms the urgent need for collective bargaining in the platform economy. According to the European Council, the number of people working through digital platforms is to increase to 43 million by the end of this year. “The strong pressure of the Confederation on the Greek Government has yielded, thus giving the green light by voting in favour of the relevant directive in response to the demand of thousands of workers. With this directive people who work through digital platforms will now be able to receive at least the minimum wage, receive allowances and, of course, be insured. This decision is crucial and now the national governments, including our country, should adapt to its rapid implementation,” the GSC notes in its communication.