The European Commission wants more social protection and rights for casual workers, such as those in the “gig economy”, and others with non-standard contracts to try to tackle growing social inequality.
According to Reuters, the Commission’s consultation document is part of a broader reworking of the EU’s economic priorities, after pressure from populist forces that accuse Brussels of having pursued ultra-liberal policies to the detriment of workers.
The document proposes a substantial review of EU’s social rights that could partly limit workers’ flexibility and reduce the growing insecurity caused by new types of jobs offered by firms like Uber [UBER.UL] and food-delivery service Deliveroo.
Brussels is proposing to extend full social protection and other forms of security to all workers, including those on very short-term, part-time and zero-hour contracts who in some EU member countries have lower safeguards.
Most EU workers have full-time, permanent contracts, but a growing number of people, especially the young, have jobs with ultra-flexible working hours, no regular pay and fewer employment protections. (Reuters)
