Uber Urges Gig Work Reforms in Europe

Ride hailing company Uber is encouraging EU policymakers to implement California-style gig work reforms.

The company is encouraging the reforms in order to protect drivers and couriers operating through an app, without reclassifying them as employees.

Uber has floated a model similar to Prop 22 in California, which exempted its drivers from employee status while still entitling them to some benefits.

Californian voters approved Proposition 22 which allows drivers for app-based transportation and delivery companies to be classified as independent contractors while still entitling them to new benefits like minimum earnings and vehicle insurance.

The European Commission is set to review on February 24th. The review is expected to lay the groundwork for regulation of gig economy platforms.

Uber has shared a “white paper” with EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager, jobs commissioner Nicolas Schmit and other officials that urged policymakers to implement the California-style reforms.

“We’re calling on policymakers, other platforms and social representatives to move quickly to build a framework for flexible earning opportunities, with industry-wide standards that all platform companies must provide for independent workers,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a blog post.

“This could include introducing new laws such as the legislation recently enacted in California,” he added.

Uber said the EU could alternatively set new principles through a “European model of social dialogue” between platform workers, policy makers and industry representatives.

Disclaimer: We have no position in any of the companies mentioned and have not been compensated for this article.