On 24 February 2021, the European Commission launched the first phase of its consultation on working conditions for digital platform workers in the gig economy.

The consultation comes as the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the digital transformation of the European economy and the expansion of the platform model: 11% of the EU workforce say they have already provided services through a platform. It will tackle particular areas of concern around health and safety and limited access to social protection and benefits for platform workers.

European trade unions and employers’ bodies will be asked to give their views on the following questions:

• Do you consider that the European Commission has correctly and sufficiently identified the issues and the possible areas for EU action?
• Do you consider that EU action is needed to effectively address the identified issues and achieve the objectives presented?
• If so, should the action cover all people working in platforms, whether workers or self-employed? Should it focus on specific types of digital labour platforms, and if yes which ones?
• If EU action is deemed necessary, what rights and obligations should be included in that action? Do the objectives presented in this document present a comprehensive overview of actions needed?
• Would you consider initiating a dialogue under Article 155 TFEU on any of the issues identified in this consultation?

(Article 155 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for dialogue between employers and labour unions or representatives)

The consultation will be in two stages, and the results will feed into the legislative initiative on platform work which the EU has promised by the end of 2021.

The consultation document is available here.