EU rules for services like Lieferando: dispute over working conditions

The negotiations between the EU states about better working conditions for employees of online platforms have apparently failed for the time being. The federal government does not have a common position on the Commission’s plans.

Negotiations in the European Union about better working conditions for employees on online platforms such as Lieferando, Uber or Gorillas have failed for the time being. Apparently, the federal government could not agree on a common line. According to information from EU diplomats, if Berlin had approved the project, there would have been a sufficient majority, the news agency reports dpa.

The SPD MEP Gaby Bischoff blamed her party’s liberal coalition partner in Berlin for this: “It is very disappointing that the federal government was not able to participate constructively in the negotiations because of the FDP,” she said in the evening. The FDP MEP Svenja Hahn said there was a danger that the new regulation would de facto abolish self-employment: “Instead of relying on speed, the member states must find a position that strengthens the self-employed.”

Classification as an employee?

With new regulations, the EU Commission wants to better protect employees of online platforms in the future. For example, millions of employees could be classified as employees and entitled to a minimum wage and regular working hours. Today, many platform workers are considered freelancers.

Brussels is now hoping to find a compromise in the coming months. The Czech Council Presidency said that an agreement among the EU states was within reach.