Everyone in the labor market must be able to work in a fair, good and safe manner.
Platform companies such as meal delivery companies, taxi ride providers or home help providers often work with freelancers. This can be a conscious choice for workers and offer more added value for both the worker and the platform. At the same time, it happens that the work is organized in such a way that there is no question of working as an independent entrepreneur at the platform.
Minister Van Gennip (SZW) informs the House of Representatives that, together with European colleagues, a letter has signed for an effective approach to bogus self-employment in platform work. Everyone in the labor market must be able to work in a fair, good and safe manner. That is not always the case. False self-employment is certainly more common in platform work. An employee is regarded as a self-employed person, when in fact he is an employee. As a result, they miss out on social protection.
In the context of negotiations on a European directive to combat this, the Netherlands wants to advocate for rules that will help platform workers. That is why Minister Van Gennip – together with 7 other member states – has signed a letter to press for European rules to combat bogus self-employment in platform work.
“Independent entrepreneurs make an important contribution to the Netherlands. But false self-employment threatens fair competition between workers and between employers. The risks of this end up with workers. This undermines our social system and can have major consequences for them. It is also recognized in a European context that bogus self-employment, certainly also with regard to platform work, must be tackled. I think it is important that rules are introduced quickly to effectively combat bogus self-employment in the platform sector.”
It is also recognized in a European context that 'false self-employment' in platform work must be tackled. This creates unfair competition and inadequate (social) protection for workers who are entitled to it. That is why a European directive is being worked on that will help platform workers, among other things, to more easily claim their employee status.
With the proposed regulations, platforms, and not employees, will soon be responsible for demonstrating whether someone actually works as a self-employed person or is in a normal employment contract. An important step to better protect those workers. The elaboration of this scheme is now taking shape. Minister Van Gennip therefore wants to emphasize the importance of urgency with other member states to quickly arrive at good and effective rules.
