In most EU member states, mobile apps connect drivers and couriers for food, grocery, and transportation services. However, until recently, these drivers were vulnerable to sudden job loss due to algorithmic decisions made by app providers like Uber or Glovo. The European Parliament has now passed a regulation to prevent such unfair and arbitrary dismissal of drivers. The regulation also prohibits app providers from continuously monitoring drivers.

Representatives of the European Parliament have reached a consensus on the issue of drivers and app providers. They have adopted a new directive to grant more rights to all individuals working in this capacity. The new law introduces a presumption of an employment relationship (as opposed to self-employment) that is triggered when facts indicating control and direction are present, according to national law and collective agreements, and taking into account EU case law.

Drivers and couriers can now feel relieved as the new directive ensures that employees cannot be dismissed based on decisions made by algorithms or automated decision-making systems. This means drivers and couriers no longer have to worry about losing their permanent jobs unexpectedly without warning. The directive provides job security for those in the industry and prevents unfair dismissals, rmf24.pl reports.

The decision to adopt the new law was made after a tragic event that occurred in 2022. A young student who was working as a food delivery driver in Florence had an accident and died while delivering an order to a customer. Unfortunately, the app marked the order as undelivered, so the company dismissed the driver posthumously and even sent an automated email. The company later apologised to the family and covered part of the funeral costs. The new law aims to ensure that such incidents are avoided and that workers in the gig economy are treated fairly.

The new directive prohibits digital labour platforms from processing certain information about employed drivers and food couriers. All EU countries will have two years to implement this directive into their national law.

"With this directive, up to 40 million platform workers in the EU will have access to fair labour conditions. This historic deal will give them dignity, protection and rights," the rapporteur on the topic for the European Parliament, Italian Social Democrat Elisabetta Gualmini, told the media.

Source: rmf24.pl