Members of the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs will vote this week on European Union-wide proposals to grant more protections for workers in the sharing economy, also referred to as the gig economy.

On Oct. 18 European policymakers will gather to assess new guidelines, including greater transparency on contractual terms, more predictable work schedules and the availability of cost-free training, as part of Brussels' push to uphold the same minimum standards for all employees in Europe.

The business models of internet-based, on-demand companies operating in the sharing economy such as Uber Technologies Inc. and Deliveroo, have come under regulatory scrutiny in Europe over the pay and flexible working conditions of contractors, who make up the bulk of their workforce. Criticism from trade unions and governments across the EU has focused on the companies' lack of employment rights, uncertainty around social security and pension, unstable working hours and lack of access to career development and training.

In a draft report of the recommendations, the Committee said its goal is to eliminate the "exploitation" of workers in more flexible forms of employment, and to bring their level of protection in line with the "European social model."

"We cannot allow competition to undermine the social and labour rights that are so vital for workers," the report said.

	Europe:
	Oct. 15-16	Information security experts, policymakers and institutions to discuss election interference in the digital age at an event dedicated to building cyber resilience. Confirmed speakers include Julian King, the European commissioner for the Security Union, Věra Jourová, the commissioner for justice, consumers and gender equality and Thomas Myrup Kristensen, Facebook Inc.'s managing director for EU Affairs and Northern Europe
	Oct. 18	The European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs to vote on new European Union rules to protect workers in the sharing economy, also known as the gig economy
	United Kingdom:
	Oct. 16	The House of Lords Communications Committee to take evidence from representatives of the broadcast TV industry as part of its inquiry into internet regulation. Speakers include Dan Brooke, Channel 4 TV's chief marketing and communications officer; Magnus Brooke, ITV PLC's director of policy and regulatory affairs; and Clare Sumner, the BBC's director of policy
	Industry events:
	Oct. 15	Telecom executives to gather in Brussels, Belgium, for an annual joint summit focused on policy, organized by the Financial Times and the European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association
	Oct. 15-16	The Financial Times' Cyber Security Summit to take place in London, United Kingdom, featuring speakers from Facebook and Vodafone
	Oct. 15-17	The European Union Agency for Network and Information Security will host the European Cyber Security Challenge 2018 in London. The competition, aimed at building cybersecurity talent across Europe, will be attended by 17 countries in the Union, including Germany, France and Italy
	Oct. 17	The European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, also known as Frontex, will co-host the 'EU borders - Getting smarter through technology' in Tallinn, Estonia

Stories of note:

Broadcom gets antitrust nods from EU, Japan for CA acquisition

Comcast to begin compulsory buyout of remaining Sky shares

Ofcom, CMA urge UK government to fill online regulation gap

Tele2/Com Hem merger gets European Commission approval

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