The Second Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Work and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, during the EU Council of Employment and Social Policy Ministers (EPSCO)
European Union employment ministers, meeting at the EU Council of Employment and Social Policy Ministers (EPSCO) in Brussels, today gave the green light to the directive to improve working conditions on digital platforms promoted by the Second Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Work and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, which is largely based on the pioneering Spanish Rider law.
The text approved today, which will grant labour rights and social guarantees to millions of people working on these platforms dedicated to delivery or passenger transport, among others, is based almost entirely on the agreement reached last December by the Spanish presidency of the Council and the European Parliament, although, the Ministry of Work and Social Economy has criticised the lack of forcefulness when it comes to establishing the presumption of employment.
However, it does provide for the protection in terms of access to information of the algorithmic management that regulates and determines these working relationships.
A European legislature with more rights
In her speech at EPSCO on the new strategic agenda of the European Union (EU) for 2024-2029, Díaz advocated giving greater prominence to the social dimension of European public policies and the European Pillar of Social Rights.
"That is the Europe that its citizens want. The Europe that protects them and cares about their everyday problems. A Europe of rights and a positive Europe must be our path to 2030", added Díaz.
Furthering this intention, the minister insisted on the need to make progress on European initiatives on the use of time and the reduction of working hours, mental health and psychosocial risks at work.
She also called for more democracy at work, extending workers' participation in company decision-making, as well as the introduction of green collective bargaining for a just ecological transition.
Social Convergence Framework
The Vice-President also welcomed the inclusion for the first time in the Joint Employment Report of the Social Convergence Framework, the initiative promoted by Belgium and Spain to ensure the social dimension of European policies and to make the European Pillar of Social Rights a reality, which will contribute to meeting the objectives set for 2030 in terms of employment, training and poverty reduction.
The report also echoes the improvement of the employment rate in Spain, praising measures taken by the Ministry of Work and Social Economy such as the new Employment Law, incentives for recruitment, the RED mechanism or initiatives to improve health and safety at work or for the protection of certain sectors such as artists. "It is great news that Europe continues to applaud our country's achievements," said Díaz.
Expand cooperation with Bulgaria on Social Economy
On the fringes of the EPSCO Council, the minister held a bilateral meeting with her Bulgarian counterpart Ivanka Shalapatova, with whom she signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Social Economy.
In the document, both countries commit themselves to strengthening this economic model, which in Spain provides more than two million direct and indirect jobs. By encouraging this collaboration, the Social Economy in the European Union will be strengthened and expanded. It will also contribute to jointly promote the development of the EU Action Plan for the Social Economy and the EU Council Recommendation on the development of framework conditions for the Social Economy.
Since taking over the Work portfolio in 2020, Díaz has substantially intensified bilateral relations on socio-labour issues with Italy, France, Germany and Portugal, among others.
Non official translation