"Assigning a name to this new way of working helps to 'grasp' and make it open for discussion. The introduction of FreeFlex United is a call to the government and the business community to do more together for platform workers in the Netherlands. Think of education and income insurance," says Niels Arntz, co-founder of Temper.
The challenges of the flexible labour market
FreeFlex United wants to steer the platformisation of the labour market in the right direction. Figures from the CBS show that 81% of the almost nine hundred thousand self-employed are not insured for incapacity for work. In addition, both flex and temporary employees experience a lack of autonomy, perform less varied work and experience an increasing workload, as recent publications by TNO show.
FreeFlex: a new form of independence
The rapid rise of the platform economy is a global trend, but laws and regulations are not evolving at the same pace. A sustainable solution for this new form is still too dependent on the intentions of entrepreneurs.
As an insurer, we feel responsible for ensuring that the supply matches market demand. If a FreeFlexer enters into a four-hour contract, we must be able to offer liability insurance for this. Uniting the work platforms encourages insurers to modernise their offer, according to Marijn Moerman, CEO Schreuder Verzekert.
FreeFlex is an autonomous form of work that suits the spirit of the times, which must now be reconciled with the solidarity principle of the Dutch welfare state.
About FreeFlex United
With FreeFlex United, the work platforms Roamler and Temper take the initiative to get round the table with policymakers, unions, and the business community to make FreeFlex just as valued as regular work. This will ensure that insurance against disability, liability, and building up a savings pot for later is feasible for all flexible forms of work.
The emergence of the temporary employment agency caused debate in the 1970s. At the time, it was uncertain what the impact on society would be. With the right frameworks in place, value can be added, as it eventually turned out. Now we are at that point again, time for action, says Arntz.
