We call on employees to speak out with one voice: we want clear and fair working conditions.

This autumn, the Seimas will be debating legislation that could significantly change the business model of digital platforms – requiring companies to provide workers with full information about their assignments, as well as to disclose details on the number of people working on the platforms and the remuneration they receive. These changes are being considered as part of the implementation of the European Union’s Directive on platform work.

However, corporate lobbyists are seeking to persuade lawmakers that one of the key aspects of working conditions – pay – should remain under the control of digital platforms and be determined by an algorithm. This would mean that pay would remain unpredictable and could be altered according to the interests of the companies.

We call on the community to unite and make it clear: our work is not a commodity whose price can change every minute. We are people who must receive clear and fair remuneration for our work.

In September, the LPDPS is organising a campaign aimed at expressing support for these three demands:

• digital platform companies should enter into written service or employment contracts with their workers, clearly setting out the remuneration and terms of payment;

• companies would not be allowed to automatically suspend workers’ accounts without explanation and would have to provide a means of appealing against such a decision;

• information on the number of workers on digital platforms and the amount of remuneration they receive would be provided to public authorities.

These changes would limit companies’ ability to unilaterally change remuneration at any time. This would give workers greater scope to negotiate the most appropriate remuneration and working conditions.

These changes do not mean that all platforms would have to enter into employment contracts. Companies will have to choose which business model is most suitable for them. However, the legislation would more clearly oblige companies not to apply elements of control characteristic of an employment relationship, such as preventing workers from turning down unprofitable orders.

To this end, the LPDPS is collecting signatures and calling on workers to show their support in other ways. The material collected will be sent to Members of the Seimas and members of the Committee on Social Affairs and Labour.