Senior Lawyer and Deputy Head of Employment & Pensions, Nicos Panayiotou, shared his insights at the Gig Up Project – Cyprus Multiplier Event, organized by Vernian RTI. Nicos delved into the legal perspectives on the Cypriot Gig Economy and explored the delicate balance between flexibility and employee protection.
Seminar Recap
Key Concepts Explored:
- Balancing Act: Navigating the gig economy requires a delicate balance between employee flexibility and protection.
- Employment Contract Dynamics: Explaining the dual nature of employment contracts, emphasizing the need to protect employees without compromising flexibility.
- Flexibility vs. Trade-offs: Unraveling the paradox of gig work - embracing flexibility while acknowledging trade-offs like the absence of traditional employment benefits.
Proposed Solutions
- Broadening Criteria: Advocating for a legal framework that broadens the criteria defining employee status, extending protective measures.
- Interim Category: Proposing an interim category, bridging the gap between traditional employment and self-employment, ensuring essential employment rights.
- Rethinking the Legal Framework: Paving the way for a more inclusive and adaptive legal structure.
Conclusion:
Understanding the delicate equilibrium between flexibility and protection is pivotal. Key stakeholders should work together towards a future where both aspects coexist harmoniously and build a sustainable gig economy that benefits everyone involved.
You may watch a video summary of the lecture here:
Summary Video
Further Reading:
Dive deeper into the topic by re-visiting Nicos' recent article on the Gig Economy here.