Income protection for self-employed and non-standard workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Area of Science:

• Social Policy
• Economics
• Labor Studies

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid social protection responses.
• Self-employed and non-standard workers often lack traditional social security coverage.
• Existing social protection systems faced unprecedented challenges during the crisis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the inclusion of self-employed and non-standard workers in COVID-19 income protection and job retention schemes.
• To analyze the nature and limitations of "extraordinary" social protection measures.
• To identify policy gaps and propose improvements for future crises.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of original evidence from the European Social Policy Network (ESPN).
• Comparative study of social protection schemes in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom.
• Case study analysis of gap-filling measures in five EU Member States.

Main Results:

• Emergency income replacement measures were quickly implemented for the self-employed.
• Most self-employed support schemes provided basic, lump-sum aid with eligibility conditions.
• Non-standard workers were generally included in job retention schemes, but gaps persisted in certain countries.

Conclusions:

• "Extraordinary" social protection during COVID-19 offered crucial but often basic support.
• Gaps in coverage highlight the need for more robust and accessible schemes for vulnerable worker groups.
• Policy recommendations focus on enhancing future crisis response for self-employed and non-standard workers.