The sharing economy is turning consumers into entrepreneurs at the tap of a smartphone. But should online platforms such as Airbnb, Uber and Deliveroo be treated like traditional companies when it comes to paying taxes, hiring workers or ensuring health and safety standards?  And should the EU step in to set the rules of the new game? Italian MEP Nicola Danti (S&D) thinks so. After organising a workshop with experts on the issue, he will be preparing a report for the European Parliament. He spoke with EuroparlTV about it.

MEP Nicola Danti : the sharing economy is changing the rules of the game

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/11513269/N003-161108-001-EN.srt

The sharing economy is turning consumers into entrepreneurs at the tap of a smartphone.

But should online platforms such as Airbnb, Uber and Deliveroo be treated like traditional companies 

when it comes to paying taxes, hiring workers or ensuring health and safety standards? 

And should the EU step in to set the rules of the new game?  

These platforms are changing all our lives, 

even those who are not that young or non-digital natives, like me. 

They make it easier for people to use multiple services, and I regularly use them myself.

We need to make sure professional service providers follow the same rules as those operating in the traditional economy. 

We need a different approach for non-professional service providers. 

They have a different role, they are generally consumers offering services to other consumers.

Now we have a chance to create a new system of rules that will make life easier for consumers, 

while protecting them and strengthening their position in this new marketplace.

It’s crucial to have common European approach. 

We need to avoid 28 different approaches to the collaborative economy in Europe. 

We need to create a small set of simple rules 

that allow the sharing economy to flourish and become an engine for growth and jobs in Europe. 