a minimum wage, paid vacation, pensions and
unemployment and sickness benefits.
The criteria include whether an app decides pay
levels; electronically supervises work performance;
restricts a worker’s freedom to choose work hours,
accept jobs or use subcontractors; dictates a
worker’s appearance and conduct with customers;
or limits the possibility for workers to build their
own client bases or work for anyone else.
Uber says it’s committed to improving work
conditions but worries about the EU proposal
“putting thousands of jobs at risk, crippling small
businesses in the wake of the pandemic and
damaging vital services that consumers across
Europe rely on.”
“Any EU-wide rules should allow drivers and
couriers to retain the flexibility we know they
value most, while allowing platforms to introduce
more protections and benefits,” a statement from
the ride-hailing service said.
Amsterdam-based Just Eat Takeaway, which
operates in 25 countries and owns brands
including GrubHub, said it “welcomes and fully
supports” the proposals and hopes they will
provide companies across Europe with “clarity
and a level playing field.” Unlike other food
delivery platforms, the company’s riders are
employed as staff, which it says “proves that
providing flexibility doesn’t have to come at the
expense of workers’ rights.”
The European Commission, the EU’s executive
branch, estimates some 28 million people on the
continent are self-employed on digital platforms,
rising to 43 million by 2025, but predicts as many
as 4.1 million could be reclassified as employees
under the rules. The EU has taken a leading global