At present, most of the 28 million platform employees in the EU are considered self-employed.

Employment ministers of the European Union (EU) today agreed on a labor directive on digital platforms that aims to improve their workers' condition, an issue still to be debated before the European Parliament.

Luxembourg.- The text approved by the EU Council points out the need to determine the employment status of people working on digital platforms and establishes the first rules of the EU bloc on the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace.

It also includes seven criteria where at least three of them are met, they will be used to determine who will be considered employees, a category that establishes the working relationship with an employer through an employment contract.

The proposal calls for companies to set wage ceilings, restrictions on their ability to refuse work, and rules governing their appearance or conduct.

Electronic monitoring of work performance, limiting employee freedom to organize their absences and working hours, as well as using subcontractors or substitutes, restrictions on employees to build a customer base or work for other companies, the document lists.

The Council stressed that, at present, most of the 28 million platform employees in the EU, including cab drivers or food delivery drivers, are considered self-employed.

However, some of them have to comply with many of the same rules and restrictions as an employee. This indicates that they do have an employment relationship and should therefore enjoy the employment rights and social protection afforded to employees under national and EU law, the EU institution outlined. (PL)