SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS AS PARTIES TO ECONOMIC DISPUTES: A SCIENTIFIC AND LEGAL ANALYSIS
Abstract
The rapid transformation of the global economy, driven by the digitalization of labor and the rise of the “gig economy” has led to the emergence of a unique economic subject: the self-employed individual. This article examines the legal status of self-employed individuals within the framework of economic disputes. It analyzes the dual nature of their activities, which oscillate between entrepreneurial and labor-like characteristics, and explores the resulting jurisdictional and procedural complexities. Through a review of scientific literature and judicial practice, the article highlights the ongoing polemics regarding the protection of “economically dependent” self-employed individuals and the criteria for distinguishing genuine self-employment from “sham” arrangements. The study concludes with recommendations for legislative refinement to ensure legal certainty and equitable dispute resolution.
Keywords
gig economy, self-employed individuals, economically dependent, sham arrangements, economic dispute
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