Gig work & platform work
What is an intermediary?
An intermediary is a middle party. In app taxi an operator can sit between the platform and the driver, which affects who carries responsibility.
Taxiunionen · Updated 2026-08-23
In short
An intermediary is a middle party.
In app taxi there can be an operator between the digital platform and the driver.
Why does it matter?
A situation can arise where the formal contractual relationship sits with one company while another actor in practice holds substantial control over the work.
The Platform Work Directive therefore also covers situations where platform work is carried out through an intermediary.
What does the word mean?
- Intermediary
- A middle party. In app taxi there can be an operator between the digital platform and the driver.
- Employment status
- Whether a person counts as an employee or as self-employed. The status decides which rules and which protections apply.
- Presumption
- A legal assumption that holds until the opposite is shown. A presumption of employment means the party claiming otherwise has to demonstrate it.
Common questions
What does intermediary mean?
A middle party between two others. In app taxi, often an operator between the platform and the driver.
Taxiunionen's view
For Taxiunionen this is a central question in the taxi industry.
The association holds that a platform should not be able to avoid responsibility through the contract structure alone, if it in practice keeps the decisive economic and technical control.
This is the association's position, not the law as it stands.
Further reading & original sources
Consultation response · 29 March 2026
Public inquiry (SOU) · January 2026