On March 19, a remote meeting was held with Tea Jarc, Confederal Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), and advisor Lucie Susova, with whom the transposition of the EU Platform Directive into Lithuanian law was discussed.

The fundamental principles that the ETUC draws attention to when providing recommendations to countries on the transposition of this directive, in particular regarding the criteria for determining the type of employment relationship, were emphasized.

At the center of the discussions is the question of how to ensure that the new regulation is not only socially fair, but also practically implementable.

The platform economy is not homogeneous – delivery drivers, food couriers or freelancers operate under different conditions. Therefore, it is important that the future regulation works in reality and does not give rise to massive and complex legal disputes, or burden the employees.

Both ETUC and LPSK emphasize that the new regulation must not become a prerequisite for the emergence of a new, intermediate form of employment relationship or leave legal gaps that would allow bypassing employee protection.

We are seeking clear and consistent legal regulation that nsures that the status of employees is properly defined and they have the social guarantees they are entitled to.

We also pay special attention to algorithmic management – ​​when platforms set fixed rates, this cannot be considered real negotiations. In addition, employees must not experience negative consequences simply because they seek flexibility, say to determine their own working hours, choose the scope of work or accept the most suitable orders for them.

The meeting was attended by the acting head of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation (LPSK) Dalia Jakutavičė, her deputy Artūras Černiauskas, and lawyer Jonas Gricius.