"This Opinion paper has two aims: first, it discusses the limitations of the proposed EU Directive on Improving Working Conditions in Platform Work; secondly, it indicates the areas to improve in the Directive, considering the existing literature and the emerging findings of comparative research on the work and financial insecurities experienced by platform workers, and their social protection needs (GIGWELL). EU policy debates have centred on employment status and algorithmic control. In contrast, the existing literature and our emerging findings offer important insights into the relationship of platform work to wider labour market insecurity, the financial burden placed on gig workers operating as self-employed contractors and the social protection exclusions workers face across different welfare models. We conclude by discussing how this emerging research evidence could be used to improve how the EU Platform Work Directive responds to gig workers' social protection needs"

Support: Digital