Entrepreneurial opportunities and working conditions of self-employed online freelancers
in the platform economy
Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic
This paper examines the experiences of self-employed online freelancers working on
digital labour platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is based on interviews with
freelancers and platform managers and experts in Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands
and Poland. Their experiences during COVID-19 reveal issues of asymmetric power vis-à-vis
platforms. Notably, they reported lack of transparency and certainty in their contracts
with platforms, lack of power in negotiating with clients, and limited ability to
engage with clients on other platforms. In addition, they often experienced difficulties
in accessing government temporary supports for businesses during the pandemic. The
paper puts forward policy recommendations to address these issues.
Available from November 15, 2023
In series:OECD SME and Entrepreneurship Papersview more titles