German labour head says taxi apps undermine workers' rightsGerman trade union federation (DGB) chairman Reiner Hoffmann has warned that taxi ordering applications could undermine cab drivers' labour rights, by substituting private cars, news magazine Der Spiegel reported. He said such apps are not a new model for the economy, but a form of exploitation. He said many such services are aimed at making the broker money quickly by circumventing regulations. As well as taxi apps, he criticised platforms offering domestic assistance. Rather than providing regular work, they create precarious forms of self-employment, he said.
Brigitte Zypris of the SPD, who is Secretary of State at the Ministry of the Economy, said there is a gold-rush mentality in Silicon Valley with only a positive view of the 'share economy', but that the social consequences were being ignored.
Der Spiegel said despite the controversy about internet platforms, even established concerns are getting involved, with Volkswagen holding talks with German start-up WunderCar about a possible investment in the car sharing app provider.
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/german ... s--1031625