Publications

Disclaimer: This information is made available as a service to the public but has not been edited by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The content is the responsibility of the authors.

Disclaimer: This information is made available as a service to the public but has not been edited by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The content is the responsibility of the authors.

Disclaimer: This information is made available as a service to the public but has not been edited by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The content is the responsibility of the authors.

Disclaimer: This information is made available as a service to the public but has not been edited by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The content is the responsibility of the authors.

Disclaimer: This information is made available as a service to the public but has not been edited by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The content is the responsibility of the authors.

Disclaimer: This information is made available as a service to the public but has not been edited by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The content is the responsibility of the authors.

For many years now, the number of self-employed individuals without employees
has been increasing steadily. Most of them are self-employed individuals
without employees (/Dutch acronym:/ ZZPs) who support themselves. ZZPs
contribute towards flexibility in the job market and economic growth –
increasingly participating in networks with other ZZPs. ZZPs are generally
successful in business. Since March 2010, ZZPs have been represented in the
Social and Economic Council (/Sociaal Economische Raad/, SER), an advisory
body that consists of the social partners and independent members appointed
by the Crown (*NL1004019I* [1]). The SER issued its first recommendation on
independent entrepreneurs in October 2010. The SER now considers such
individuals as entrepreneurs and more attention will be paid to the
challenges they face. The SER recognises that as service providers, and like
employees, ZZPs also run occupational risks. Together with the Dutch cabinet,
the SER is in favour of introducing measures to support independent
entrepreneurs.

[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/industrial-relations-working-conditions/self-employed-workers-join-social-and-economic-council

The budget was drafted on the basis that the state would get revenues of CZK
1,084 billion (€43.4 billion as at 6 October 2011) and will spend CZK 1,189
billion (€47.6 billion). This would mean a planned deficit of CZK 105
billion (€4.2 billion) which is CZK 30 billion (€1.2 billion) less than
the deficit approved for 2011.

The Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE [1]) is the largest
telecommunications provider in the Greek market and, together with its
subsidiaries, forms one of the leading telecom groups in South-eastern
Europe. Up until 1996 OTE was a state-owned monopoly, but since then the
Greek State has been gradually reducing its share capital in the firm.
Deutsche Telekom [2] agreed a deal with the government in 2008 and, since
2011, has held a 40% stake, with the government’s share at 10%. The OTE
group offers broadband services, fixed and mobile telephone services,
high-speed data communications and leased-line services. It is also involved
in satellite communications, managing its extensive real-estate portfolio and
offering consultancy services. OTE companies employ over 30,000 people in
four countries.

[1] http://www.ote.gr/portal/page/portal/OTEGR/TheCompany/OTEToday/OURCOMPANY
[2] http://www.telekom.com/dtag/cms/content/dt/en/6908

The Employment and Social Situation Quarterly Review (2.4Mb PDF) [1]
published on 30 September 2011, indicates that the fragile recovery in the
EU’s economy appears to have slowed, although there are significant
differences between Member States. The report looks at data relating to the
first quarter of 2011, which shows that the employment rate [2] in the EU has
not returned to its pre-crisis level, although the year-on-year rate has
improved in most Member States. The employment rate increased only
marginally, by 0.1%–0.2%, between the first and second quarter of 2011. In
particular, long-term unemployment is high, at 4.1% in the first quarter of
2011.

[1] http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=7118&langId=en
[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/employment-rate