Articles
Events
Guides
Success stories
Collections
ResourcesArticlesMalt Insights: Navigating the Dynamic Freelance Economy

Malt Insights: Navigating the Dynamic Freelance Economy

7 December 2023
2min.

In recent years, the rise of the freelance economy has brought forward numerous challenges related to benefits and social security. The Netherlands has an intelligent approach to IR35 and other issues, argues Quentin Debavelaere of freelance platform Malt. Discover this article to figure out what the Dutch can teach the UK.

Freelance

The evolution of the independent talent economy has offered a new wave of freedom and flexibility to the modern workforce. However, this change also brings about unique challenges, particularly in benefits, social security, and fair wages, sparking an urgent need for suitable regulatory frameworks. From the UK's IR35 rule to the Dutch 'blanket' rule, our General Manager, Quentin Debavelaere, discussed these paradigms in the latest Business Age article.

He specifically focused on:

  • The infamous IR35: Freelancing in the UK has seen a decline since 2018, which may partially be attributed to the controversial IR35 legislation. Enacted to counter tax evasion by workers operating independently, the IR35 rules have arguably contributed to decreased labour market flexibility and increased employment costs.

  • The Dutch Approach: Contrarily, the Netherlands has seen a steady rise in its freelance economy, now accounting for 14% of its highly educated working population. Key measures introduced recently in the Netherlands include reducing the tax and social security gap between employees and freelancers, implementing mandatory disability insurance for self-employed individuals, and a clarity-focused approach to assessing employment relationships.

As countries continue to grapple with these regulatory challenges, the desire for a balanced system that advocates for independent workers to the same degree as salaried employees remains a global aspiration. Only time will tell if we can steer towards a future where the freelance conundrum becomes less of a puzzle and more of a resolved equation.

Thank you to Charles Orton-Jones for this opportunity to highlight the current state of freelancing! You can read the full article below:

Read the article

Summary