Drenthe has approximately 20,000 freelancers
The twelve municipalities in the Province are busy handling nearly 5,800 applications for an emergency scheme that has been set up for the freelancers and self-employed people, reports the Asser Courant.
In 2014, a study commissioned by Drenthe showed that there are 18,300 self-employed people there, approximately 4,000 more than in 2010. It is likely to have reached a total of 20,000 by now.
These self-employed persons are found in all sectors of the economy, but relatively often in ICT, sports, culture and recreation and construction.
Niels van der Weerd, who works for VDW Management from Assen saw his work slip through his fingers last month. Normally he would be organising all kinds of sporting events and projects: “for example, I work for a golf club and organise the Drenthe Football Month for Sport Drenthe”, he says.
However, his income has not yet fallen below the level required to gain assistance, which makes no sense to him. “Fortunately, I was able to make good agreements with clients, when we moved projects. That’s why I’m not completely without money now. But I have to be very economical now”, he said. His wife also works in the sports world, and the couple have a three-year-old son.
It shouldn’t take too long, says Van der Weerd, because eventually either the support schemes available or the regulations around working will change: “golfing is not a contact sport, so I am hopeful that it can start again soon.”
