The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Niki Kerameos, presented to the Cabinet and subsequently at a press conference a new bill from the ministry that sets limits on the uncontrolled use of artificial intelligence in the labour market and improves working conditions for platform workers.
The ministry’s secretary-general, Nikos Milapidis, also took part in the press conference.
“Artificial intelligence is an extremely useful tool that significantly boosts productivity in the labour market. But safeguards are also needed to protect workers and the labour market.
New technologies must be used with transparency, and that is precisely what this bill ensures, by introducing, among other things, human oversight of algorithmic management on platforms and taking steps to provide effective protection for platform workers”, said Niki Kerameos, the Minister of Labour and Social Security.
The bill, entitled “Rules on the use of artificial intelligence in the labour market – Protection of platform workers – Transposition of Directive (European Union (EU) 2024/2831) of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union of 23 October 2024, and other provisions”, establishes a comprehensive framework of obligations for digital labour platforms.
The bill focuses on transparency and human oversight of algorithmic management, the protection of personal data, the correct determination of employment status and stronger cooperation between the competent authorities.
It is worth noting that the Minister of Labour and Social Security is holding extensive consultations with the national social partners and industry representatives throughout the drafting of the bill.
Dozens of their comments have already been incorporated into the draft law, which is still being prepared, and dialogue is continuing.
The bill is built around two pillars:
The first concerns algorithmic management. For the first time, rules are being introduced for the use of artificial intelligence and algorithms in the labour market. The new provisions significantly increase transparency in the algorithmic management of work and require human oversight in decisions with significant implications for workers’ employment situation.
The aim is to ensure workers are better informed about the processes and criteria behind decisions concerning them, particularly when those decisions have a significant impact on their employment situation, as well as to protect personal data.
The second pillar concerns, more broadly, improving working conditions for people working on platforms and strengthening protection for recipients of the services they provide.
Specifically:
it seeks to ensure the correct determination of the employment status of people who work through digital platforms,
improve transparency in the provision of services through digital platforms, and
strengthen mechanisms for applying and enforcing the law, facilitate access to justice and improve the exchange of information between the competent authorities.
Overall, the aim is to establish a coherent and effective regulatory framework for work through digital platforms that strengthens worker protection, promotes transparency and fair treatment, and helps create a level playing field.
*See the presentation of the new bill in the Supporting Material column on the right.