Europe gives the green light to the “Rider Law” to improve the conditions of 28 million workers.

The purpose of this regulation is to prevent employees of digital platforms, such as Glovo, Uber, or Deliveroo, from working as false self-employed workers.

On Monday, October 14, 2024, representatives from the 27 EU member states gave the green light to the regulation that the European Union has been working on for several years to protect the labor status of workers on digital platforms, also known as the “Rider Law.”

These apps, increasingly popular in sectors like logistics, make use of services from professionals who, in many cases, work as false self-employed individuals, preventing them from fully enjoying their labor rights. In fact, the EU estimates that, of the 28 million workers on these platforms in Europe, 19% have a labor status that does not match reality.

The new regulation aims to make the use of automated systems in decision-making related to human resource management more transparent. Among other measures, the directive ensures that algorithms are supervised by qualified personnel and that workers can appeal automated decisions affecting their employment, working conditions, or salary.

The EU fights against false self-employment:

One of the main innovations is the creation of a legal presumption of employment, which will allow platform workers to be recognized as employees if it is proven that the platform exerts control over their activity. In this way, the directive establishes that, in the event of a dispute, it will be the responsibility of the digital platform to prove that there is no labor relationship.

This measure seeks to address the issue of false self-employment, a situation affecting more than 28 million people in the EU working through platforms such as delivery, transport, or digital work services.

Control of algorithmic management:

Another key aspect of this directive is the regulation of the automated systems used by platforms to monitor and make decisions about their workers. The new rules ensure that employees are informed about how these systems work and prohibit the use of sensitive personal data, such as biometric information or workers’ emotional states, in these processes.

Additionally, human supervision is ensured in important decisions derived from algorithms, and workers are granted the right to have these decisions explained and, if necessary, reviewed.

The “Rider Law” will be effective in less than two years:

The directive will be signed by the Council and the European Parliament and will come into force after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. From this point on, member states will have two years to adapt these regulations to their national legislations.