UK's freelancers condemn out of touch MEPs

The Professional Contractors Group (PCG) has criticised MEPs for a negative attitude towards ìnon-standardî ways of working, revealed in the European Parliamentís response to the labour law Green Paper.

PCG chairman David Ramsden said: ìWhile we are pleased that this report notes freelancers are not properly represented in EU discussions, and supports the ILOís Recommendation that employment law should not interfere with freelancersí commercial relationships, it is clear that too many MEPs have failed to get to grips with the reality of modern labour markets, and are wrongly negative towards ìnon-standardî ways of working, as they dismissively term it.î

PCG has been lobbying for recognition that the EUís formal ìsocial dialogueî structures, incorporating employer groups and trades unions, exclude freelancers and other flexible workers: the final report uses PCGís exact wording.

The Commission is expected to give a summary of responses to the Green Paper submitted by stakeholders, including PCG, in the autumn, with a White Paper likely to follow in 2008.

ìWhatever the Commissionís next steps, the fact that there are at least some supportive statements in this report will be useful to us in the future, but itís obvious that we still have work to do to ensure that freelancers are properly recognised,î said Mr Ramsden.

PCG has been campaigning on this issue in Brussels alongside the British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses and Institute of Directors.