The collective risk management of solo self-employed workers in the Netherlands

Abstract

The growth of solo self-employed workers in the Netherlands (zzp’ers) has not yet triggered a debate on how to combine their income security and business autonomy. The extent to which the social protection system and interest groups promote zzp’ers to take up collective arrangements mitigating income insecurity due to work incapacity and preventing income insecurity due to poor employability is investigated using the social risk management framework. Correcting economic obstacles and irrational risk perceptions, collective arrangements are found to encourage the take-up of work incapacity insurance and training among zzp’ers.

Work participation, social roles, and empowerment of Q-fever fatigue syndrome patients ≥10 years after infection

“…It is thus possible that self-employed participants experience a lower impact of QFS on their ability to work than employees. However, the observed differences might be, at least partially, caused by the different (financial) regulations and legislation between these two groups in the Netherlands [ 32 , 33 ]. The financial support system for wage-employed people in the Netherlands is relatively strong: for example, employers are obliged to pay at least 70% of the previous wage for a maximum of two years, as well as help the employee in their return-to-work process, including job adaptations and/or getting a new job.…”

“…Self-employed participants might have been able to cope better with QFS, due to a higher ability of adjusting their tasks to the impact of QFS on their work. For future research, distinguishing self-employed patients with and without disability insurance would be relevant, as the financial support they receive in case of sick leave differs considerably [ 32 , 33 ].…”