EU Fails to Pass Gig Worker Rights Directive Amid Member State Divisions

The European Union's attempt to enhance labor rights for gig workers faces a significant setback as key member states, including France and Germany, block the proposed directive.

Negotiations on the EU's Platform Work Directive, aimed at improving conditions for gig economy workers, collapse due to opposition from France, Germany, and others.
The directive sought to reclassify some gig workers as employees, granting them rights such as minimum wage and health insurance, but faced resistance over its specifics.
France and Germany's refusal to back the watered-down agreement highlights concerns over legal uncertainties and the harmonization of rules across Europe.
Trade unions and workers' rights groups express disappointment, warning that millions of gig workers will remain vulnerable without the directive.
The failure to pass the directive underscores the challenges of regulating the gig economy and protecting labor rights in the digital age.