Representing and organising the solo self-employed in Europe: The emergence of a ‘relational representation’ from the combination of prefigurative and contentious politics

Abstract

Collective representation is traditionally associated with employees, while solo self-employed (SSE) workers, in both regulated and unregulated professions, are usually considered to be autonomous and therefore not in need of representation. However, in recent years, the SSE have increasingly represented their interests collectively, although often outside traditional representative organisations such as trade unions, employer organisations, and professional and business associations. By drawing on two case studies conducted within associations of unregulated SSE based in Germany and Italy, this article introduces the concept of ‘relational representation’. In particular, our findings show how a relational representation acts to support workers’ autonomy by promoting the building of relationships, and at the same time by mobilising both prefigurative and conflictual ways of doing politics, traditionally considered as alternatives. Drawing on feminist relational approaches to (inter)dependence and autonomy, the article discusses three organisational practices that allow for relational representation: engaging with welfare institutions on common professional conditions; redefining relations between representatives and represented; and promoting the exchange of experiences and interests among members.