EU ministers to discuss working conditions in platform economy and gender equality

NordenBladet — The EU employment and social affairs ministers will hold an informal video meeting on 3 December 2020. Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen will participate in the meeting, which will consider measures to improve the position of workers in the platform economy at EU level. Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality Thomas Blomqvist will represent Finland in the discussion on the implementation of the EU’s Gender Equality Strategy.The European Commission has announced that it will submit a legislative proposal to improve the working conditions in the platform economy at the end of 2021. The Commission intends to consult labour market organisations before submitting its proposal.“Finland welcomes the EU-level discussion, because the same platforms are used in several EU countries. A shared approach to platform work would benefit all: the workers, the Member States and also the platform companies that need to operate within different legislation in different countries,” says Minister of Employment Haatainen.“It is essential to provide workers in the platform economy with proper working conditions, adequate social security and livelihoods,” Haatainen adds.The EU Gender Equality Strategy is an important tool for promoting gender equality in Member StatesThe second main theme of the video meeting will be gender equality and the implementation of the EU’s Gender Equality Strategy. The Commission published the EU Gender Equality Strategy in March 2020, and this is the first time its implementation will be discussed at the political level. During the implementation, particular attention will be paid to equal participation of women and men in the labour market.“The EU Gender Equality Strategy and the Government’s Action Plan for Gender Equality have several points in common, such as promoting equality in working life and balancing work and private life. In addition, they both emphasise a view on gender equality, which is based on the diversity of women and men. Finland is strongly committed to promoting equality both nationally and at EU level,” says Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Gender Equality Blomqvist.The informal video meeting will replace the official meeting of the Council of Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs. No decisions will be made at the video meeting.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi