Can the EU’s regulations on gig workers control algorithmic management?

Millions of European gig workers face challenges like low pay and unsafe conditions. EU ministers reached a deal addressing one key issue: management by algorithm. While it falls short of union demands, the Platform Work Directive aims to increase transparency in algorithmic decision-making, crucial for protecting workers’ rights. The directive requires human oversight for automated decisions and grants workers access to information used by AI systems. These provisions complement the EU AI Act and can help identify and challenge biases in job allocation and performance evaluation. This is a significant step forward, according to experts. However, algorithmic management isn’t limited to gig work; it’s increasingly used in various industries, potentially affecting millions of jobs worldwide. The draft EU rules set a precedent for regulating algorithmic management and are considered vital by union leaders. Despite being seen as a victory, the directive’s provisional deal falls short of expectations. It mainly focuses on recognizing gig workers as employees, but key criteria proposed by the European Commission were scrapped. The directive leaves details to national law, raising concerns about inconsistencies in worker protections across EU countries. Unions plan to continue advocating for stronger social and labor rights, recognizing the long road ahead in achieving meaningful change.