A famous Spanish YouTuber, Jota, has decided to take Google Spain to court for unfair dismissal, opening the debate on possible labor rights for content creators who generate advertising revenue, of which he was once deprived.
The world of content creators is in turmoil as Spanish YouTuber Jota sues Google Spain for unfair dismissal. Supported by a local union, the creator seeks to establish that he is in an employment relationship with YouTube, which Google disputes, which explains that the ad does not make Jota an employee of the company. At the origin of the conflict, we find a blocking of advertising revenue from the creator, who had violated YouTube’s monetization policies.
A YouTuber wants to redefine the relationship between creators and platforms
By attacking Google, Jota wants to prove that he had a working relationship with YouTube, by receiving remuneration from advertising revenue generated by his content. Google Spain had cut advertising revenue from the channel, followed by nearly 2 million people (nearly 300 million views since its launch at the end of 2017).
Jota’s lawyer, Bernardo Garcia, calls this cut in advertising revenue ” termination of employment relationship » and seeks to prove the abusive nature of what he considers to be a “ dismissal “. Jota’s satirical political videos have often used official clips, adding subtitles and special effects to reinforce his messages. Sometimes, they exceeded the limits and, therefore, the rules of YouTube.
On June 26, a court in Madrid will hear the case. As for whether he will decide to redefine the nature of the relationship between content creators and platforms, it is too early to say. Recognizing the work connection would be a gigantic twist in any case. But Spain, a pioneer in terms of workers’ rights, is taking a firm stance here against self-employed work. The UGT (General Union of Workers) union says it is determined to fight against the precarious working conditions imposed by technology giants.
The union behind the YouTuber has already made the delivery platforms see reason
Google Spain insists on one point: content creators are not employees. The subsidiary emphasizes that Jota’s channel violated YouTube’s monetization policies and recalls its commitment to the success of creators, with whom it shares the majority of advertising revenues from the video platform.
On the union side, the UGT begins this fight with confidence. The confederation has already pushed delivery companies to hire their delivery people in 2021, to fight against “false self-employment”. Its spokesperson, Eduardo Magaldi, emphasizes that while this content creation economy remains relatively new, the underlying concepts remain unchanged.
“ Some control the platforms, while others provide their work, whether from home or workplace », says the lawyer. This legal battle could therefore have implications well beyond Jota’s individual case.
Source : Reuters
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