Joint Statement on EU Parliament Proposals for the Platform Workers Directive

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Brussels, 3 November 2022– Major industry representatives are concerned by the direction that the European Parliament is taking in negotiations over the Platform Workers Directive, which reclassifies self-employed collaborators in the EU as digital platform workers.

IRU, CEEMET, HOTREC, EBF-BCESA and ECEG – representing road transport, hospitality and the banking sector, as well as chemical, metal, engineering and technology-based industries – fear serious negative impacts from the European Parliament’s proposals for the Platform Workers Directive.

The proposal’s overly broad definition essentially reclassifies any self-employed collaborator who uses a computer to organise their work as a digital platform worker. This would put the financial and operational viability of many small and medium-sized (SMEs) firms at risk.

The industry representatives call upon Members of the European Parliament to reject the excessive scope of the directive, which currently covers most companies operating in the EU market.

The Parliament’s approach deviates from the original purpose of the directive, which is to correct the unlawful behaviour of large, multinational companies. Instead, it would impact businesses that have been operating in the EU market for decades, obeying the rules and paying their fair share of taxes.

The European Parliament should support a narrow definition of digital labour platforms, in accordance with the European Commission’s original proposal, and expressly exclude SMEs from the scope of the directive.

For more information:

Benedetta Venanzi, Policy Adviser – International & Social Affairs, b.venanzi@ebf.eu

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About the EBF:

The European Banking Federation is the voice of the European banking sector, bringing together national banking associations from across Europe. The EBF is committed to a thriving European economy that is underpinned by a stable, secure and inclusive financial ecosystem, and to a flourishing society where financing is available to fund the dreams of citizens, businesses and innovators everywhere.