ABSTRACT
In this chapter, organisations that offer freelancers an alternative to individualised self-employment are analysed. A range of cooperatives were studied across Europe to explore different ways of fostering the autonomy of freelancers – typical of self-employment – while enhancing social rights and collective solidarity, which have historically been associated with wage-employment. Findings show that most organisations studied use triangular work arrangements to allow freelancers to become formally wage-employed and improve their access to social protection without encroaching on their autonomy. In the Netherlands, a different model was observed, based on horizontal risk mutualisation among freelancers who remain legally self-employed. A failed attempt carried out in the UK to offer alternative work arrangements to freelancers is also discussed.
