Freelancers earn little but are happy with their independence
29 Nov 2011
Most freelancers in the Netherlands are happy with their position in the labour force although just over 50% earn less than €25,000 a year, according to new research for the social affairs ministry.
The research also shows just one in five freelancers – known as zzp’ers or zelfstandigen zonder personnel – have taken out insurance against loss of income if they become ill and only 2 in five are insured against long-term illness.
The research comes at a time of mounting concern about the hidden unemployment among freelancers, who are not entitled to jobless benefits if their work dries up.
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