The economic daily El Economista has published a forum of opinion signed by Victor María González Muñoz, director of the Afianza labor area, in which he analyses the critical situation experienced by the self-employed workers in the face of the lack of real rest during the summer period.
In his article, included in the section Franchise, SMEs and Entrepreneurs, the Afianza expert puts the focus on alarming data: one in three self-employed will not be able to enjoy holidays this summer and 25% of respondents ensures that will not rest at any time of the year.
This situation is mainly due to the scarcity of economic resources and the inability to delegate the management of the business. Many are forced to sacrifice their physical and mental health to maintain their activity. It is crucial to emphasize that “12% hasn't closed their business for a single day in more than three years.This should set off all the alarms,” he warns. And this calls for urgent action for this group, which accounts for more than 16% of the active population.
Necessary proposals and solutions
The forum proposes urgent measures to reverse this structural situation, such as bonuses for the hiring of substitutes, the creation of relay networks among professionals, the promotion of digitization, and fiscal incentives that recognize the right to rest of the self-employed.
A collective commitment for the well-being of the autonomous
The well-being of the self-employed is a shared responsibility: the public administration must improve social protection, the business environment must recognize their need for rest, and the self-employed themselves must seek balance. It is contradictory to promote entrepreneurship and not guarantee basic rights. If we do not act, society will lose talent, health and productive fabric.
Spain has the opportunity to redefine a more humane, sustainable and fair model of support for self-employment.
From Afianza, the defense of job welfare and the sustainability of the productive model are part of the commitment to a more just and humane business environment.
You can read the full article in the magazine Franquicias, SMEs and Entrepreneurs (PDF).
