The UK releases Good Work plan

The UK government has issued a ‘Good Work plan’ containing proposals on how the country could ‘address the challenges of the changing world of work in the modern economy’. The plan deals, among other things, with the so-called gig economy, and notes that, while opportunities offered by platform-based working offers should be protected, fairness needs to be ensured for ‘those who work through these platforms and those who compete with them’. Some action points envisioned in the plan include: redefining the status of ‘dependent contractors’ for those working in the gig economy; defining working time for flexible workers, so that they can be clear about how the minimum wage applies; adapt legislation to ensure that those working in the gig economy can enjoy maximum flexibility while also earning the minimum wage; align the employment status framework with the tax status to reduce differences to a minimum; and develop an online tool to allow individuals and employers to determine the employment status.