Unemployment protection for self-employed and platform workers: A study of the Spanish case

Abstract

The objective of this study is to offer a snapshot of the level of unemployment protection provided in Spain to self-employed workers and platform economy workers, compared to employed workers affiliated with the general regime. This allows us to reflect on the convergent and divergent aspects of the protection provided to the two groups, as well as the greater or lesser proximity to the levels of protection indicated by the EU. Thus, the study is structured in three points: the protection afforded to the various groups and the differences in terms of the cessation of activity and unemployment benefit; some of the most characteristic aspects of these two types of unemployment protection; the financing of the cessation of activity benefit and the creation of an alternative protection mechanism as key points in the current Spanish political debate. Our final thoughts are presented in the conclusions.