With recent evidence concerning Uber's unlawful business practices coming to light, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½underlines its support for each worker's right to dignity and decent working conditions, whether employed or self-employed.
Drivers are the most important part of any successful transport operation and securing their rights, including by integration in EU Member States¡¯ social and taxation schemes, is paramount.
Recent advancements in internet-based digital labour platform practices have shed light on a largely neglected issue: the differences that exist between diverse service providers that customers may see as competitors.
When addressing false self-employment structures set by some digital labour platforms, EU policymakers need to make a clear distinction between the types of internet-only platforms that are likely to engage in irresponsible behaviour and regular transport businesses and operators.
¡°Taxi, coach and truck operators, for example, have been in operation for decades and are heavily regulated at local, national and even EU levels,¡± said ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½EU Advocacy Director Raluca Marian.
The upcoming EU provisions on platform workers should target irresponsible digital platforms and avoid causing unintended harm to well-established transport businesses and operators by adding to their bureaucratic burden.
¡°While we support the legislator's intention to regulate worrisome practices, we urge lawmakers to consider existing market differences in the upcoming Parliament and Council discussions,¡± Raluca Marian continued.
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½has previously adopted a position paper on the Platform Workers¡¯ Directive, underlining its support for a cautious approach that takes into account transport operators' concerns.
¡°We have always sought to get the industry¡¯s message across by engaging in transparent communication with stakeholders as the official sector-social dialogue partner designated by the European Commission to engage in dialogue with trade unions. We appreciate the opportunity to improve such industry standards and look forward to continuing dialogue,¡± Raluca Marian concluded.