Zum Werk Traditionally labour law focuses on employment contracts. The legal analysis of the
working world is based on the distinction between employees and self-employed. However in
addition to this traditional dichotomy a significant number of European countries provide
specific legal protection for so-called economically-dependent workers hereby acknowledging
that there are workers who are personally independent but nonetheless require social
protection. This development has begun long before the digitalisation started blurring the
boundaries of typical employment relationships. Still recent developments have resulted in
demands for the extension of labour laws to platform workers putting the topic on the agenda
whilst in the past economically-dependent workers have played only a minor role in labour law
developments. Wrongly because their protection plays a vital role in creating a differentiated
economy with adequate working conditions and a decent standard of social security for its
various players. This book contains eleven country reports that outline the legal bases for the
protection of economically-dependent workers in labour and social security law. In addition a
comparative analysis explores the characteristics of such workers and the regulatory models for
their legal protection as well as pointing out protection gaps. Further contributions evaluate
the impact of international law and European law on the legal protection of
economically-dependent workers and highlight the need for future developments. Vorteile compact
information on economically-dependent workers in Austria France Germany Ireland Italy the
Netherlands Portugal Slovenia Spain Sweden and the UK comprehensive analysis of ILO law
and RESC further analysis of EU law Zielgruppe For researches but also useful background
information for legal practitioners e.g. lawyers or government and economic organisations such
as ministries employers' organisations and trade unions.
