Social security for Spain’s platform workers: Self‐employed or employee status?

Abstract

AbstractStudies on the social protection of platform workers in Spain have focused on the bike couriers (or “riders”) who deliver meals to customers’ homes and whose services are used by some of the best‐known platforms on the country’s social and economic scene. Most of these workers are covered by the social security scheme for self‐employed workers. However, a Supreme Court ruling issued on 25 September 2020 reclassified the relationship between Glovo and its couriers as a contract of employment. This decision has changed the outlook for platforms and prompted the Spanish Government to regulate platform work in Spain. Nonetheless, the government ruling is limited to couriers, whereas, in reality, the issue is much broader. In this article, we look at the current reality of Spain’s platform workers vis‐à‐vis the social security system and the latest court rulings.