Directive (EU) 2024/2831 on improving working conditions in platform work

Summary:

Directive (EU) 2024/2831 - adopted by the co-legislators on 23 October 2024 - seeking to improve the working conditions in platform work and support the sustainable growth of digital labour platforms in the European Union (EU). This is a text with EEA relevance.

Further information:

Digital labour platforms have created new opportunities, and improved access to services. However, it has also become increasingly difficult to correctly classify the employment status of people, leading in some cases to inadequate labour rights and social protection. In addition, the use of algorithms in platform work can raise questions of accountability and transparency.

The European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) highlights the workers' right to fair and equal treatment regarding working conditions and access to social protection, regardless of the type and duration of the employment relationship. In her Political Guidelines (2019), the President of the European Commission stated that digital transformation brought fast change that affects labour markets, and vowed to look at ways to improve the labour conditions of platform workers.

This Directive introduces measures to facilitate the determination of the correct employment status of persons performing platform work; promotes transparency, fairness, human oversight, safety and accountability in algorithmic management in platform work; improves transparency with regard to platform work, including in cross-border situations. It lays down minimum rights to apply to every person performing platform work in the EU, and it also lays down rules to improve the protection of natural persons in relation to the processing of their personal data.

The draft law was adopted by the European Commission on 9 December 2021, alongside an explanatory Communication and to support the implementation of the EPSR Action Plan. The plenary of the European Parliament endorsed a negotiating position on 2 February 2023. The Council of the European Union adopted a general approach to the proposed Directive on 12 June. An informal agreement between the co-legislators on a compromise text for this file was reached on 13 December. However, Member States representatives did not endorse the text at their meeting held on 22 December. A second provisional agreement between the co-legislators was reached on 8 February 2024, and again rejected by representatives in the Council on 16 February. Following further debate, the representatives approved the same text on 11 March. It was formally endorsed by Parliament on 24 April and by the Council on 14 October. The Act was signed by the co-legislators on 23 October 2024 and published in the Official Journal on 11 November 2024.

Official

EUR-LEX: COM(2021)762: Proposal for a Directive on improving working conditions in platform work https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2021:762:FIN

EUR-LEX: SWD(2021)395: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Subsidiarity Grid https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2021:395:FIN

EUR-LEX: SWD(2021)396: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Impact Assessment Report https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2021:396:FIN

EUR-LEX: SWD(2021)397: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Executive Summary of the Impact Assessment Report https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2021:397:FIN

Publications Office of the EU: EU Law Tracker: Proposal for a Directive on improving working conditions in platform work https://law-tracker.europa.eu/procedure/2021_414?lang=en

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on Improving working conditions of persons working through digital labour platforms (2021/0414(COD)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2021/0414(COD)

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: Initiative to improve the working conditions of people working in the platform economy https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-a-europe-fit-for-the-digital-age/file-improving-working-conditions-of-platform-workers

General Secretariat of the Council: Policies: EU rules on platform work https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/platform-work-eu/

European Commission: Press Release, 09/12/2021: Commission proposals to improve the working conditions of people working through digital labour platforms https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_6605

European Commission: Questions and answers: Improving working conditions in platform work (9 December 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_21_6606

European Commission: Remarks by Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis at the press conference on Improving the working conditions in platform work and on the Action plan for the social economy (9 December 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_21_6730

European Commission: Opening remarks by Commissioner Schmit at the press conference on Platform Work and the Social Economy Action Plan (9 December 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_21_6749

Finnish Government: Press Release, 09/12/2021: Commission issues proposal to improve working conditions in platform work https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-//1410877/commission-issues-proposal-to-improve-working-conditions-in-platform-work

EPP EP Group: Newsroom, 09/12/2021: Platform workers are not avatars on a screen, but real people with rights https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/news/platform-workers-are-not-avatars-on-screens-but-real-people

GUE/NGL EP Group: News, 09/12/2021: Proposed gig economy directive a step forward for workers’ rights https://left.eu/proposed-gig-economy-directive-a-step-forward-for-workers-rights/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 12/06/2023: Rights for platform workers: Council agrees its position https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/06/12/rights-for-platform-workers-council-agrees-its-position/

GUE/NGL EP Group: News, 12/06/2023: EU employment ministers bow to corporate lobbies on platform work https://left.eu/eu-employment-ministers-bow-to-corporate-lobbies-on-platform-work/

European Parliament: Press Release, 13/12/2023: Platform work: deal on new rules on employment status https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20231207IPR15738/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 13/12/2023: Rights for platform workers: Council and Parliament strike deal https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/12/13/rights-for-platform-workers-council-and-parliament-strike-deal/

European Commission: Press Release, 13/12/2023: Commission welcomes political agreement on improving working conditions in platform work https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6586

European Parliament: Press Release, 08/02/2024: Provisional deal on first EU-wide rules for platform workers https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240205IPR17417/

EPP EP Group: Newsroom, 05/03/2024: Liberals and Socialists are Uber’s useful fools in the Council https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/liberals-socialists-are-uber-s-useful-fools-in-the-council

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 11/03/2024: Platform workers: Council confirms agreement on new rules to improve their working conditions https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/03/11/platform-workers-council-confirms-agreement-on-new-rules-to-improve-their-working-conditions/

Spanish Government (La Moncloa): News, 11/03/2024: EU labour ministers approve Díaz's digital platform work directive https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/gobierno/news/paginas/2024/20240311-eu-epsco-council.aspx

Finnish Government: Press Release, 11/03/2024: EU ministers reach an agreement on Platform Work Directive https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-//1410877/eu-ministers-reach-an-agreement-on-platform-work-directive

European Parliament: Press Release, 19/03/2024: Platform Work: first green light to new EU rules on employment status https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240318IPR19420/

Renew Europe EP Group: Newsroom, 19/03/2024: Delivering stronger rights for platform workers https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2024-03-19/delivering-stronger-rights-for-platform-workers

European Parliament: Press Release, 24/04/2024: Parliament adopts Platform Work Directive https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240419IPR20584/

S&D EP Group: Newsroom, 24/04/2024: After eight-year battle, S&Ds deliver historic EU law to 30 million platform workers https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/newsroom/after-eight-year-battle-sds-deliver-historic-eu-law-30-million-platform-workers

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 14/10/2024: Platform workers: Council adopts new rules to improve their working conditions https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/10/14/platform-workers-council-adopts-new-rules-to-improve-their-working-conditions/

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News

EurActiv, 09/12/2021: EU launches bid to regulate gig economy https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/eu-launches-bid-to-regulate-gig-economy/

The Guardian, 09/12/2021: Gig economy workers to get employee rights under EU proposals https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/dec/09/gig-economy-workers-to-get-employee-rights-under-eu-proposals

Public Broadcastic Corporation (PBS), 09/12/2021: EU plans to improve conditions for gig economy workers by classifying them as employees https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/eu-plans-to-improve-conditions-for-gig-economy-workers-by-classifying-them-as-employees

Euronews, 09/12/2021: New EU rules could turn 4.1 million gig workers into regular employees https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2021/12/09/new-eu-rules-could-turn-4-1-million-gig-workers-into-regular-employees

The New York Times, 09/12/2021: Europe Pushes New Rules Turning Gig Workers Into Employees https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/09/technology/european-commission-gig-workers-uber.html

EurActiv, 10/05/2022: Leading MEP pushes for tight employment protection in platform workers directive https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/leading-mep-pushes-for-tight-employment-protection-in-platform-workers-directive/

EurActiv, 11/05/2022: Conservatives prepare to battle on platform workers directive, rally up with industry https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/conservatives-prepare-to-battle-on-platform-workers-directive-rally-up-with-industry/

EurActiv, 23/05/2022: Platform workers: French presidency clings to criteria approach https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/platform-workers-french-presidency-clings-to-criteria-approach/

ERR News, 13/06/2023: Minister: Estonia does not support EU platform work directive amendments https://news.err.ee/1609005620/minister-estonia-does-not-support-eu-platform-work-directive-amendments

EurActiv, 31/10/2023: EU policymakers brace for clash in thorny debate over platform workers’ status https://www.euractiv.com/section/gig-economy/news/eu-policymakers-brace-for-clash-in-thorny-debate-over-platform-workers-status/

Politico, 08/11/2023: Uber and unions face off over EU gig work law https://www.politico.eu/article/uber-and-unions-face-off-over-eu-gig-work-law/

EUObserver, 27/11/2023: Platform workers could face 'robo-firing' under EU's AI rules https://euobserver.com/digital/157746

EurActiv, 13/12/2023: EU lawmakers nail down rules for platform workers https://www.euractiv.com/section/gig-economy/news/eu-lawmakers-nail-down-rules-for-platform-workers/

Euronews, 13/12/2023: EU institutions reach deal on conditions for platform workers https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/12/13/eu-institutions-reach-deal-on-conditions-for-platform-workers

The Brussels Times, 14/12/2023: 'Uber does not make the law': EU to make platform workers official employees https://www.brusselstimes.com/837526/uber-does-not-make-the-law-eu-to-improve-working-conditions-for-platform-workers

EurActiv, 22/12/2023: Member states deal heavy blow to platform work deal https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/member-states-deal-heavy-blow-to-platform-work-deal/

Politico, 09/02/2024: EU delivers nothingburger to Uber and Deliveroo workers https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-gig-workers-uber-deliveroo-protection-ride-hailing-app-tech/

Euronews, 16/02/2024: EU deal on platform workers falls apart, pushing law into limbo https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/02/16/eu-deal-on-platform-workers-falls-apart-again

ERR News, 18/02/2024: Estonia and three other states block the revised EU platform work directive https://news.err.ee/1609256886/estonia-and-three-other-states-block-the-revised-eu-platform-work-directive

EurActiv, 11/03/2024: At long last, EU countries adopt the platform work directive https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/at-long-last-eu-countries-adopt-the-platform-work-directive/

Politico, 11/03/2024: EU finalizes gig work rules after countries back deal https://www.politico.eu/article/european-union-gig-work-labor-estonia-greece-germany-france/

Reuters, 11/03/2024: EU members endorse diluted draft rules on rights for gig workers https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-countries-back-draft-rules-gig-workers-rights-2024-03-11/

The Brussels Times, 12/03/2024: 'We did not let Uber make the law': EU agrees to improve conditions of platform workers https://www.brusselstimes.com/960996/we-did-not-let-uber-make-the-law-eu-agrees-on-better-conditions-for-platform-workers-tbtb

Delano, 13/03/2024: Lighter version of Platform Work Directive gets the go-ahead https://delano.lu/article/lighter-version-of-platform-wo

EU Law Analysis, 26/04/2024: At last a Directive protecting platform work – Now what? https://eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2024/04/at-last-directive-protecting-platform.html

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Commentary and Analysis

Reshaping Work: Blog: Regulating platform work: reflections on the proposed EU Directive https://reshapingwork.net/regulating-platform-work/

European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC): Issues: Platform Economy https://www.etuc.org/en/issue/platform-economy

EurActiv, 19/11/2021: Between flexibility and precariousness, all eyes are on Brussels’ move on platform workers https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/between-flexibility-and-precariousness-all-eyes-are-on-brussels-move-on-platform-workers/

Social Europe, 08/12/2021: Regulating digital work: from laisser-faire to fairness https://socialeurope.eu/regulating-digital-work-from-laisser-faire-to-fairness

European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF), 08/12/2021: EU takes long-overdue first step towards fair platform work https://www.etf-europe.org/eu-takes-long-overdue-first-step-towards-fair-platform-work/

Politico, 09/12/2021: 5 things to know about the EU’s gig worker plans https://www.politico.eu/article/5-things-about-eu-gig-economy-plan/

Fairwork: Blog, 09/12/2021: Fairwork Response to the European Commission’s Proposal for a Directive on Platform Work https://fair.work/en/fw/blog/fairwork-response-to-the-european-commissions-proposal-for-a-directive-on-platform-work/

Social Europe, 09/12/2021: European Commission takes the lead in regulating platform work https://socialeurope.eu/european-commission-takes-the-lead-in-regulating-platform-work

University of Oxford: Faculty of Law: Oxford Human Rights Hub, 09/12/2021: Improving Working Conditions in the Gig Economy: The EU’s Proposed Platform Work Directive https://ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk/improving-working-conditions-in-the-gig-economy-the-eus-proposed-platform-work-directive/

Lancaster University: Work Foundation Blog, 09/12/2021: What new EU Commission proposals may mean for platforms and gig workers in the UK https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundation/news/blog/what-new-eu-commission-proposals-may-mean-for-platforms-and-gig-workers-in-the-uk

Maastricht University: Blog, 11/12/2021: Is the EU en route to fairer working conditions in the gig economy? https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/blog/2021/12/eu-en-route-fairer-working-conditions-gig-economy

Noerr: News, 14/12/2021: Bogus self-employment: European Commission tackles platform work (gig economy) https://www.noerr.com/en/newsroom/news/bogus-self-employment-european-commission-tackles-platform-work-gig-economy

Egmont Institute: Commentary, 14/12/2021: Addressing regulatory gaps in the booming platform economy : A look at the social and economic implications of the EU proposal on platform workers https://www.egmontinstitute.be/addressing-regulatory-gaps-in-the-booming-platform-economy-a-look-at-the-social-and-economic-implications-of-the-eu-proposal-on-platform-workers/

Verfassungsblog, 14/12/2021: The EU’s Proposed Platform Work Directive. A Promising Step https://verfassungsblog.de/work-directive/

White&Case: Alert, 15/02/2022: Platform workers: The European Commission proposes a presumption of employment https://www.whitecase.com/publications/alert/platform-workers-european-commission-proposes-presumption-employment

Bird&Bird: Insights, 03/03/2022: Proposal of EU-Directive on improving working conditions in platform work sets out new requirements to digital platforms https://www.twobirds.com/en/insights/2022/denmark/forslag-til-eu-direktiv-om-forbedring-af-arbejdsvilkaar

BBC Worklife, 09/03/2022: Why gig work is so hard to regulate https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220308-why-gig-work-is-so-hard-to-regulate

Friedrich Ebert Foundation: IPS Journal, 21/03/2022: In the EU, platform workers scored a victory https://www.ips-journal.eu/work-and-digitalisation/platform-workers-in-the-eu-scored-a-victory-5811/

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): Briefing, 28/04/2022: Improving working conditions in platform work - Initial Appraisal of a European Commission Impact Assessment https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)730315

University of Oxford: Law Faculty Blog, 17/05/2022: Finetuning the EU’s Platform Work Directive https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/business-law-blog/blog/2022/05/finetuning-eus-platform-work-directive

Politico: Opinion, 06/06/2022: Digital workers prioritize flexibility — not employment https://www.politico.eu/article/digital-platforms-workers-economy-challenges/

EurActiv: Videos, 28/04/2023: Bogus or genuine? The EU’s plan for platform workers https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/video/bogus-or-genuine-the-eus-plan-for-platform-workers/

Disruptive Competition (DisCo) Project, 09/06/2023: Platform Workers Explain How New EU Rules Would Impact Millions of Jobs https://www.project-disco.org/european-union/platform-workers-explain-how-new-eu-rules-would-impact-millions-of-jobs/

The Conversation, 12/06/2023: Gig economy workers are to get better EU protections – creating an awkward choice for Rishi Sunak https://theconversation.com/gig-economy-workers-are-to-get-better-eu-protections-creating-an-awkward-choice-for-rishi-sunak-207534

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): At a Glance, 21/06/2023: Digital platform workers: EU rules one step closer https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2023)749794

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): Briefing, 21/06/2023: Improving the working conditions of platform workers https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)698923

Verfassungsblog, 18/07/2023: The Definition of ‘Digital Labour Platform’ in the Proposed Platform Work Directive https://verfassungsblog.de/the-definition-of-digital-labour-platform-in-the-proposed-platform-work-directive/

Geradin Partners: Platform Law Blog, 19/07/2023: The proposed Platform Work Directive and employment status misclassification: Distinguishing between employers and digital labour intermediaries https://theplatformlaw.blog/2023/07/19/the-proposed-platform-work-directive-and-employment-status-misclassification-distinguishing-between-employers-and-digital-labour-intermediaries/

Oxford University: Business Law Blog, 25/09/2023: Shutting Down Uber? Employment Status and the EU’s Proposed Platform Work Directive https://blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/oblb/blog-post/2023/09/shutting-down-uber-employment-status-and-eus-proposed-platform-work

Social Europe, 26/10/2023: Dangers ahead for the platform-work directive https://www.socialeurope.eu/dangers-ahead-for-the-platform-work-directive

International Social Security Association (ISSA): Analysis, 02/11/2023: Platform workers and social security: Recent developments in Europe https://www.issa.int/analysis/platform-workers-and-social-security-recent-developments-europe

KPMG: Alerts, 21/12/2023: European Union – Employment Status of Platform Workers https://kpmg.com/xx/en/our-insights/gms-flash-alert/flash-alert-2023-250.html

European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE): Policy Brief, January 2024: Regulating the Working Conditions of Platform Work: What Can We Learn from EU Member States? https://ecipe.org/publications/regulating-the-working-conditions-of-platform-work/

Social Europe, 25/01/2024: Platform-work directive: the clock is ticking https://www.socialeurope.eu/platform-work-directive-the-clock-is-ticking

Maastricht University: Blog, 06/03/2024: Challenges and Uncertainties Surrounding the Platform Work Directive https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/blog/2024/03/challenges-and-uncertainties-surrounding-platform-work-directive

Freshfields: Blog, 13/03/2024: EU Platform Workers Directive – Where is the legislative process now and what does this mean for platforms and workers? https://technologyquotient.freshfields.com/post/102j2mo/eu-platform-workers-directive-where-is-the-legislative-process-now-and-what-doe

European Policy Centre (EPC): Flash Analysis, 14/03/2024: The Council breaks the stalemate, but is the Platform Work Directive deal really worth it? https://www.epc.eu/en/publications/The-Council-breaks-the-stalemate-but-is-the-Platform-Work-Directive-d~590704

Social Europe, 16/03/2024: ‘Gig’ workers in Europe: the new platform of rights https://www.socialeurope.eu/gig-workers-in-europe-the-new-platform-of-rights

Friedrich Ebert Foundation: IPS Journal, 19/03/2024: Illusion of substance https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/european-integration/illusion-of-substance-7404/

Bird&Bird: Insights, 20/03/2024: EU Directive on platform work https://www.twobirds.com/en/insights/2024/global/update-eu-directive-on-platform-work

Nordic Labour Journal, 25/03/2024: EU directive gives Nordic platform workers new hope http://www.nordiclabourjournal.org/nyheter/news-2024/article.2024-03-22.4940603278

Social Europe, 29/03/2024: Platform work directive—delivering rights for all https://www.socialeurope.eu/platform-work-directive-delivering-rights-for-all

Linklaters: Employment Links Blog, 25/04/2024: The Platform Work Directive: Saying goodbye to bogus self-employment and AI bosses? https://www.linklaters.com/en/insights/blogs/employmentlinks/2024/april/the-platform-work-directive_saying-goodbye-to-bogus-self-employment-and-ai-bosses

EUObserver, 15/05/2024: How Bolt watered down the Platform Work Directive https://euobserver.com/investigations/ar30f725bb

Oxford University: Human Rights Hub: Blog, 21/05/2024: Beyond Bogus Self-Employment: the EU Platform Work Directive’s Presumption of Employment, and its Implications for the Future of Employment Rights in the Gig Economy https://ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk/beyond-bogus-self-employment-the-eu-platform-work-directives-presumption-of-employment-and-its-implications-for-the-future-of-employment-rights-in-the-gig-economy/

Corporate Europe Observatory, 21/05/2024: Bolt’s shady lobbying on the Platform Work Directive, exposed by internal documents, causes public outcry in Estonia https://corporateeurope.org/en/2024/05/bolts-shady-lobbying-platform-work-directive-exposed-internal-documents-causes-public

Wolters Kluwer: Global Workplace Law & Policy Blog, 05/06/2024: EU acts on platform work: what protection for the self-employed? https://global-workplace-law-and-policy.kluwerlawonline.com/2024/06/05/eu-acts-on-platform-work-what-protection-for-the-self-employed/

European Trade Union Institute (ETUI): Policy Brief No 6, August 2024: The EU Platform Work Directive. What’s new, what’s missing, what’s next? https://www.etui.org/publications/eu-platform-work-directive

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Wikipedia: Platform Work Directive https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platform_Work_Directive

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