Opinion: Independent professionals hold the key to unlock Europe’s potential

Despite research last week suggesting growth in the Eurozone was at its fastest rate throughout April, the full economic potential of Europe is still to be unlocked, writes Andy Chamberlain, spokesman for the European Forum of Independent Professionals (EFIP). 

Markit’s April purchasing managers’ index suggests that the Eurozone is on the road to recovery. Welcome news indeed, however, this growth could be even faster if European institutions can   effectively harness the radical change that has been quietly transforming the labour market.

The rise of the independent professionals, or iPros, often referred to as freelancers, represents a major shift in the nature of work. iPros are highly skilled, self-employed individuals. They range from engineers, to health professionals, to IT consultants and they are depended upon by many of the biggest and smallest businesses across Europe, not to mention a significant chunk of the public sector.

The way we work is changing. Research from Professor Leighton of the IPAG Business School shows that freelancing is the fastest growing sector of the labour market with a 45% rise across Europe-   over the last ten years. With more and more people choosing this way of working, it’s vital that the next Parliament recognises and embraces this dramatic trend. The economic contribution of iPros   is too big to ignore.

In the UK alone 1.72 million iPros account for £95 billion annually. There are   around 9 million iPros in total, across all member states, and this figure is rising. It is clear that iPros are significant economic players, yet they receive very little support and recognition from the very institution that should be safe guarding their interests: the European Parliament.

We recently launched our European manifesto outlining how the next Parliament can help iPros achieve their full potential and aid economic growth as a result. This includes the need for visibility   in official statistics and data, as well as better regulation, for example, on the increasing problem of late payment by big businesses.  The Parliament must identify iPros’ specific needs, which aren’t always the same as those of SMEs.

iPros are unique economic agents providing an important and distinct economic function from   employees and business owners. This needs to be acknowledged in policy development. More   assistance for iPros through improved access to training and services would enable freelancers to   improve their offering and in turn would help businesses, large and small, to thrive.

PCG, the UK’s representative body for freelancers and independent professionals, commissioned research by ComRes and Professor Andrew Burke from the Cranfield School of Management which   shows that iPros already add value to businesses. They provide flexibility, allowing businesses to manage peaks and troughs in demand and secure access to diverse talent. With greater access to   training, iPros could expand their skills base even further and help business even more.

iPros are often prevented from bidding for Government contracts because of their size. The next Parliament must look at procurement rules to ensure that these smallest of small businesses are not   precluded from delivering public services. Without this access, it’s not just iPros missing out, but the public sector as a whole: governments are missing out on the expertise that iPros provide on a short-term, flexible basis. So how could the next Parliament achieve this in practical terms?

We believe that an iPro Envoy, similar to the current SME Envoy, could champion the needs of independent professionals in   Brussels. This would of course help iPros, but it would also give decision-makers the help they need   to fully utilise this talent and allow policy makers to give this growing sector what it needs to reach   its full potential, which will aid the growth in the Eurozone as a result.

The next European Parliament has an ideal opportunity to give this vitally important sector of the   labour market the credit and support it deserves, and in turn, the Eurozone will reap the benefits of   this way of working.

Andy Chamberlain, spokesman for the European Forum of Independent Professionals

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