Grey workers in the European Union: precariousness among economically dependent solo self-employed

Abstract

PurposeThis explorative study aims to investigate work precariousness (WP) among EU27-based economically dependent solo self-employed, i.e. those with no employees and usually relying on just one client.Design/methodology/approachUnivariate and multivariate analyses of European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) (2015) and Eurostat data.FindingsThe analyses yielded Disempowerment, intended as lack of job autonomy and money-induced Vulnerability as the dimensions of WP. Disempowerment was found positively influenced by workers' threat of losing the job and negatively by the enjoyment from being their own boss. Vulnerability was negatively influenced by workers' age, perceived easiness to find new customers, household's financial well-being as well as the country's employment rate.Originality/valueThe study represents pioneer exploration of the phenomenon's dimensionality and main determinants.

Are You Really Your Own Boss? Flexi-Vulnerability and False Consciousness of Autonomy in the Digital Labor Culture of Riders

“…In this regard, we find different categories of platform work: Remote or on-site, requiring either a high or low level of skills, remunerated per task or per hour, serving as either a primary or supplementary occupation, and with varying profiles of platform workers and types, among others (Malo 2018;Signes et al 2019;Cañigueral 2020). Moreover, the blurred distinction between dependent and independent workers (wage earners or self-employed) often observed in platform work leads to insecurity regarding employee or dependent selfemployed rights, the benefits they are entitled to, and the applicable regulations (Williams and Lapeyre 2018;Majetic et al 2023;Ales and Faioli 2012).…”