Delivery men and VTC drivers will still have to wait before obtaining better status, and above all it will be necessary to convince the ministers of several countries, including France and Germany.
The European Union continues to take measures to regulate tech companies. Among its current targets are companies like Uber and Deliveroo, which rely heavily on independent workers. In fact, the latter do not benefit from employee status with these platforms, even though the work they carry out could completely justify it, according to some.
However, after two years of discussions, European politicians have still not been able to agree on a regulation. Which is not the best signal for delivery people and VTCs.
The revolt of the Ministers of Labor
On December 12, the various EU institutions took a step forward on a directive aimed at strengthening the rights of millions of delivery workers and drivers working for companies such as Uber. The project should enable nearly 28 million people to obtain, if they wish, a status close to that of employees, by meeting the criteria set by two indicators. Defined by the European executive, there are currently five of these and should help to presume that a worker is under the subordination of a platform.
However, last Friday, the Council of the European Union made an about-face. Bringing together the Labor Ministers of the 27 Member States, he decided not to comment on the directive. Around ten governments (France, Italy, Hungary, etc.) had, in fact, made their disagreement known, and Germany was even considering abstaining. However, to be validated, such a project must obtain a qualified majority of 55% of EU countries, which must represent 65% of its population. As the outcome of the vote was very clear, it did not take place.
So why does this regulation not convince some people? The French Minister of Labor, Olivier Dussopt, was questioned by the Senate: “ this directive is very different from the Council project adopted on June 12 “, he explains. “ When you go from three criteria out of seven to two criteria out of five, when you move towards a directive which would allow massive requalifications, including of workers who value their independent status, we cannot support it. »
A blockage that comes at the wrong time?
This decision does not please everyone, both the opposition and the workers. “ Our government and lobbies supported Uber and company, and pressured the deal not to go through », Supports Leïla Chaibi, MEP from the left group in the European Parliament. While Belgium, less favorable to the project than Spain, takes the rotating presidency of the EU, and the European elections approach, the French representative fears that a less restrictive version will end up being accepted. According to her, this would be counterproductive for workers.
For their part, they have no intention of giving in. “ In January we will organize Europe-wide protests », Announces Brahim Ben Ali, general secretary of the INV VTC collective. “ I will request a meeting with the German Minister of Labor, who may have a decisive role, and the Belgian Minister “. Obviously, the increase in the minimum wage promised by Uber France did not succeed in calming the unrest, which already provoked demonstrations last weekend.
Source : The world
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