Soziale Sicherheit für Selbständige - Das österreichische Modell im europäischen Kontext -

Across continental European countries, with their at times very generous social protection systems for "classical" employees, the self-employed have traditionally been subject to a kind of Cinderella treatment. This contribution turns the spotlight on the social policy approach of Austria - a country that has probably gone further than any of its neighbours in harmonising standards of protection by social security between "real workers" and those in a similar economic position, and gradually extending the system also to "genuine entrepreneurs". The article discusses the socio-historical background, consequences for present-day economic reality and the way forward.