Germany prevents better working conditions for Lieferando, Uber and Co. in Europe

Negotiations between the EU states about better conditions for employees of online platforms such as Lieferando, Uber or Gorillas have failed because of Germany.

If Berlin had approved the project, there would have been a sufficient majority for it, according to information from EU diplomats. However, the federal government was unable to agree on a common position before the negotiations.

The background to the talks is a proposal from the European Commission, according to which employees of online platforms should be better protected in the future. The EU countries and the European Parliament have yet to agree on a compromise.

According to the Commission’s proposal, millions of workers could be classified as employees and approx Right to minimum wage and regulated working hours to have. Today, many platform workers are considered freelancers.

Why did the project fail?

For German SPD MEP Gaby Bischoff, the culprit is clear: “It is very disappointing that the federal government could not participate constructively in the negotiations because of the FDP,” she said in the evening. Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) welcomed the Commission’s proposal in the summer.

FDP MEP Svenja Hahn said there was a risk that the new regulation would de facto abolish self-employment. “Instead of relying on speed, Member States should above all find a position that strengthens the self-employed.”

The Czech Presidency of the Council said an agreement between EU countries was within reach. A compromise is hoped for in the coming months. Sweden will then hold the regularly rotating presidency of the EU countries.

(dsc/sda/dpa)