EU failure to protect Platform Workers “telling” – MacManus

Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has said it is “telling” that the EU has failed to agree on crucial workers’ rights legislation protecting platform workers such as delivery riders. He criticised the small number of countries which are blocking the new directive. He was speaking as the EU Parliament in Strasbourg debated the need to overcome the Council deadlock on the platform workers’ directive. 

MacManus said:

“At this point of the European political cycle many important files are being finalised yet this crucial one on workers’ rights remains blocked. For me that is telling. Environmental, military, and economic legislation is being signed off before the election deadline but this keystone social policy affecting some of the most exploited workers remains in limbo.”

“I support the Parliament’s calls for movement on this issue and condemn the blocking of it by a small number of countries. These delivery riders recently protested at their conditions, and I fully support their goals. The situation has continued to deteriorate for these workers and in some instances minimum delivery payment rates have fallen to as little as €1 per order.”

“It may also shock people to know that these riders and drivers work without many of the workers’ rights and protections that the majority take for granted.”

“If the EU wants to point to concrete progress for workers during this cycle it must finish this file and sign-off on a strong directive to protect workers’ rights.” ENDS