EU Commission proposes rules to boost social rights for gig workers

BRUSSELS, Dec 9 (Reuters) - The European Commission announced on Thursday draft rules to give workers at online platform companies such as Uber and Deliveroo better social rights and also create a level playing field between these companies and traditional businesses.

Online platform companies that set pay and conduct standards for their workers will have to classify them as employees entitled to a minimum wage, paid holidays and pension rights.

The companies will also be considered an employer if they supervise the performance of work through electronic means, restrict workers' ability to choose their working hours or tasks and prevent them from working for third parties.

The EU executive said the draft rules could apply to between 1.7 million and 4.1 million workers from the 28 million working at more than 500 online platform companies across the 27-country bloc. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Philip Blenkinsop)