Genuine autonomous work: toward a tailor-made social protection

Abstract

This chapter aims at providing a conceptual framework to social protection of genuine autonomous work, with a reference to solopreneurs, analyzing socioeconomic risks and needs they are facing and that may differ from the traditional ones profiled on subordinate work. The author criticizes the “package approach” of some legislators that just extends Labour Law and Social Security protection typical of subordination to autonomous work. He reflects on the potential of reflexive labour law to set up a regulatory system based on “self-organized diversity” where the interests of individuals, groups and society can find an adequate balance. The author draws three conclusions in the perspective of: singling out the very notion of genuine autonomous workers, outside the shadow of the “false self-employed” doctrine; removing any existing ungrounded legal obstacles to self-organization of autonomous workers; promoting self-organization of autonomous workers on platforms.