FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE EXTENSION OF SOCIAL PROTECTION TO THE PROFESSIONAL SELF-EMPLOYED

In the framework of the second work package of the project, under the lead of the coordinator, the consortium prepared a feasibility analysis on the extension of social protection schemes delivered by social partners. This analysis should help identify the eligible population for the extension of social protection, within the self-employed, and the types of benefits which could be covered by this extension. Here, two key concepts are social protection floors and social dialogue. Three parts compose the document. In the first part, the need for a new social contract is recalled. In the second one, the definition of professional self-employed is clarified, with reference to the target population. In the third and final part, the analysis addresses the extension of social protection schemes, focusing on risks, vulnerabilities and governance. Also, it deals with the social protection schemes delivered by the social partners, as starting point for the extension proposal. Particular emphasis is placed on the Italian experience of bilateral bodies, which is considered as a good practice. These bodies are the outcome of social dialogue, since they stem from the national collective labour agreement, signed by social partners in the liberal professionals’ sector. Bilateral bodies deliver supplementary social protection benefits in the liberal professions’ sector, in addition to public-funded benefits, and represent an effective reply to the risks and vulnerabilities faced by the self-employed employers in this sector, as well as by their employees.