Platform economy database
Database of initiatives and court cases in the EU
Eurofound’s platform economy database provides information on 386 initiatives and court cases that exist or have been implemented in relation to activities in the platform economy. The database was last updated in February 2024 and provides metadata for each entry, such as geographical scope, year, type of initiative, actors involved, sector and companies concerned. Initiatives include legal instruments such as legislative changes or court decisions, as well as voluntary interventions undertaken by different stakeholders to address issues around platform work.
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The database currently contains 386 entries and was last updated in February 2024.
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Belgium
In March 2021, the Brussels government decided that independent drivers working via platforms such as Uber and Heetch must not use their smartphones when accepting rides. With this decision, the government is evoking legislation dating back to 1995 that limits the usage of ‘radio communication devices’ (radio transmitters) to taxi drivers only. However, it was largely interpreted as an attempt to limit the operations and hamper the expansion of the platform business model as it effectively serves as a ban of Uber and Heeth in the city. The decision impacts about 2000 Uber drivers in the Belgian capital, who protested against it since it severely limits their work and leaves them in a state of legal uncertainty. Also, the Association of Belgian Limousine Drivers (ABCL) as well as the United Freelancers Union (UF/CSC) have spoken out against the decision. The drivers and the supporting organisations demand a comprehensive Taxi Plan that encompasses Taxi drivers as well as platform drivers. This plan had already been promised by the Brussels regional government, but so far it has only been implemented in Flanders.
The current plan has been criticised for its lack of clarity as it allows Uber to circumvent rules applying for taxis by classifying as limousine service. The taxi sector (important actors being the Brussels Taxi Federation (BFT), the Taxi Workers Collective (CTT), and Ingoboka-Taxi) sees another issue in creating a fair system of licenses, which currently must be obtained by taxi drivers, but which does not account for Uber drivers. Therefore, it resembles the system of license renting similar to the one implemented in France. Furthermore, there is substantial disagreement over the definition of taxi drivers and platform drivers: While the taxi sector demands the new Taxi plan to lay out clear distinctions of taxi drivers and private chauffeurs, the platforms (Uber in particular) demand for a harmonisation of the legislation for both groups of drivers.
The platform economy is one of those moving targets, which, despite receiving increasing media and policy attention, has proven difficult to regulate. Given the heterogeneity of employment relationships, business models, types of platform work and cross-border issues, this is not surprising.
Technological change is accelerating as the capacity of electronic devices to digitally store, process and communicate information expands. Digitalisation is transforming the EU economy and labour markets: nearly one-third of EU workplaces are categorised as highly digitalised. What are the implications of the digital revolution for employment and work?
The rapid rise of the platform economy has led to a marked transformation of European labour markets, and existing regulatory frameworks and voluntary initiatives have yet to catch up. While platform work offers opportunities for workers and employers and potentially contributes to innovation, economic growth and competitiveness in the EU, it has been criticised from the beginning because of the poor employment and working conditions often experienced by workers.
While 2020 may come to be seen as the year platform work gathered pace and started to go mainstream – thanks in large part to COVID-19 containment measures sparking an increase in food and grocery delivery – 2021 could be the year that regulation of platform work is set in motion.
