During the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, held in early December, EU Ministers discussed a draft EU law to improve the working conditions of persons working through platforms. The proposed rules aim to ensure that people working through digital labour platforms, such as food delivery workers and ride-hailing drivers are granted the legal employment status that corresponds to their actual working arrangements. It proposes a checklist to assess whether the platform is an ‘employer’ or if a person is genuinely self-employed. 

Ministers also settled their position on a proposal to tighten EU legislation protecting workers from the risks of asbestos. The Council wants to lower current exposure levels and carry out asbestos fibre-counting on the basis of a more modern method. If agreed, the new rules would ensure a tenfold decrease to exposure compared to the value currently in force.

Ministers also approved two conclusions: on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labour market and on gender equality in disrupted economies.

Member states finally reached a political agreement on a Council recommendation on adequate minimum income.