Gig Work & Flex Work Regulations in EMEA and APAC

Workforce Working is in your inbox a bit early and is a tad shorter this week due to the celebration of the last days of Passover. Happy Passover to all who celebrate!

What's inside:

• The EU is cracking down on gig work

• Singapore & the UK on Flex work

Around the world

The EU is cracking down on gig work

Last week, members of the European Parliament adopted new rules that seek to protect up to 40 million platform workers across the EU including couriers, drivers, and food delivery providers. Here are some of the changes going into effect:

• Employment status - Under the new law, workers are now presumed to be employees and not independent contractors. Ultimately, it is up to the platform to prove that there is no employment relationship.

• Management by the algorithm - Workers cannot be fired by the algorithm or any kind of automated decision making system. Their must be human oversight over any decisions that affect the workers ability to work.

• Data protection - Platforms are limited in the data they may collect and will be forbidden from collecting and processing data related to a worker’s personal beliefs or emotional well-being.

These new rules provide stability and protection to platform workers across the EU. Member states have 2 years to incorporate the new laws after their publication in the Official Journal of the EU.

Flexible Work

Singapore & the UK on Flex work

Singapore

Effective December 1, 2024, employers in Singapore must fairly consider formal requests from employees for flexible work arrangements (FWAs). These new guidelines come as a result of Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower accepting all 10 recommendations set forth by the Tripartite Workgroup. The 10 guidelines are intended to shape the way employees and employers interact handle FWAs.

Ultimately, the guidelines are intended to make it easier for employees to request FWAs while acknowledging the employer’s right to decide on work arrangements.

UK

We highlighted similar legislation just a few weeks ago that was implemented in the UK but a recent article by Bloomberg highlighted the fact that employers in the UK are actually scaling back the amount of jobs that offer flexible work arrangements. According to the article, “Vacancies mentioning “flexible hours” or “part time” positions fell by about 40% since 2022”.

One of the more interesting statistics in the article is that older workers tend to want more flexibility than younger workers.

Although workers in the UK have the right to request flexible working arrangements, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll get the answer they were looking for.

Less flexible work is back on the rise and young workers who may have been expecting to work from wherever and work whenever they want, may want to reset their expectations.

Strategic quick hits

• Chipotle staff can eat chicken again (Bloomberg)

• 6 different ways to be paid in the UAE (Gulf News)

• Samsung introduces 6 day work week for its execs (Time of India)