טויזנטער פון פרעעלאַנסערס רופן פֿאַר נייַ אי.יו. פּאַרליאַמענט צו שטיצן רייזינג נומער פון זיך-באנוצט

Thousands of freelancers have supported a European Movement calling for decision-makers to recognise and embrace their sector of the labour market, sending a clear message to the new European Parliament this week.

More than 3,000 independent professionals, or iPros, from countries right across Europe including Croatia, Italy and Germany have signed up in support of the Freelancers’ Manifesto online at freelancers-europe.org.

The Freelancers Manifesto calls for decision-makers to recognize the rise in those choosing to work in this way, the contribution they make to economies and to embrace this fundamental change to the way we work. The sector is now the fastest growing part of the European Labour Market, with the number of people choosing to go freelance rising by as much as 93% in some countries in 2013.

Joel Dullroy, the Berlin-based freelancer who set up the campaign said: “With thousands of freelancers from across Europe signing up to support this movement, this sends a clear message to the new European Parliament that they must do more for this important and flourishing sector.”

Andy Chamberlain, spokesman for the European Forum of Independent Professionals (EFIP), said: “The way we work is rapidly changing and the new European Parliament has an ideal opportunity to respond to this. The Freelancers’ Manifesto sets out simple and clear policies that the new European Parliament can support which will hugely help freelancers, politicians and businesses across Europe.

“Improving access to training and services and better regulation that specifically considers the unique needs of independent professionals are just some of the ways the new EU Parliament can support freelancers.

“Similar to the SME Envoy, appointing an iPro Envoy to champion freelancers at the top of the European Parliament will offer further support for independent professionals.

אַדווערטייזמאַנט

“There is still time for independent professionals to support the movement and we urge freelancers from across Europe to sign the manifesto to ensure their voices continue to be heard loud and clear in the new EU Parliament.

1. Founded in 2010, the European Forum of Independent Professionals (EFIP) is a collaboration of national associations which represent independent professionals at EU level through targeted research and advocacy.
2. PCG is the membership association for the UK’s freelancers, contractors and independent professionals and a founding organization of the European Forum of Independent Professionals.
3. Statistics from November 2013 by Professor John Kitching of Kingston University show there are now 1.72 million freelancers operating in the UK, contributing £95 billion to the economy.
4. A 2013 report by Professor Leighton of the University of South Wales shows a growth of 63% in freelancing since 2004 in the UK, making it the fastest growing sector of the European Labour Market.

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