As a trade union De Unie has traditionally been committed to salaried people. We can make a difference for them at the collective labor agreement negotiation table and in discussions with employers. Only: the number of self-employed people without employees (self-employed) in the Netherlands has been growing for years. There are now more than 1,25 million registered self-employed entrepreneurs. And even if they do not have an employer or collective labor agreement, we are also committed to their work and income. That is why we have been joining forces with Het Ondernemerscollectief since 2017, the association for novice and experienced entrepreneurs. Karin Oosterveld (Legal Services team manager of De Unie) and Martijn Pennekamp (founder of Het Ondernemerscollectief) explain what that collaboration looks like – and what it benefits you.
From paid employment to self-employment
“We mainly help people who are employed,” Karin explains the legal guidance De Unie to. 'By checking their contract, for example, or negotiating a settlement agreement with their employer. And our collective services are of course also aimed at people who work for a boss: they are the ones who fall under a collective labor agreement or social plan.'
'Yet my team sometimes receives questions about self-employment. How a member can best get started with this if they are employed or unemployed, or how you create space within your job to set up your own business - and make agreements about this with your employer. Or what you can best do about a strict non-competition clause in your assignment agreement. Look, we can of course help with those types of situations. But we are happy to refer you for tax arrangements, marketing or expanding your customer base.' "That's exactly why you need us!" adds Martijn.
Develop your entrepreneurship
After years of advising on behalf of large banks, Martijn Pennekamp left in 2010 for themselves Helping self-employed people: he founded ikwordzzper.nl. 'I was able to put all that advice about starting entrepreneurship into practice so beautifully – first alongside my job, and after a year as a self-employed person. I helped people with their first steps as an entrepreneur. That went very well, but after a while I thought: self-employed people will probably still need help and tips after that. That turned out to be the beginning of The Entrepreneurs Collective.'
The Entrepreneurs Collective helps self-employed people develop their entrepreneurship. With advice, knowledge transfer and collective benefits. "Over the years we have built up a great team, including former advisors from major banks and the Chamber of Commerce," says Martijn. 'For example, we make podcasts and videos about how to determine your rate, get your accounting in order or use LinkedIn strategically. We also have various helpdesks, e-books and whitepapers on topics such as pensions, taxes and insurance – topics that many self-employed people have questions about. This is of great benefit to our members.'
Supplement to your Union membership
It is clear: for self-employed people, a membership in Het Ondernemerscollectief is very valuable. "But that of course also applies to Union membership," Karin and Martijn both think. Martijn: 'We help entrepreneurs with everything, including legal matters. We can do this thanks to our many years of collaboration with De Unie, and the specialists from Karin's team. But with really complex files it is better to get to them immediately De Unie knock.' 'And for business assistance you should go to Het Ondernemerscollectief', Karin adds. 'We have been working together since 2017 and pointing members to each other's organizations and memberships if we think they will benefit from it.'
How do De Unie and The Entrepreneurs Collective complement each other exactly? Karin and Martijn illustrate this using current events: next year, enforcement of the Deregulation Assessment of Labor Relations Act (DBA) will begin. This concerns the employment relationship between clients and contractors. Is this really a hired self-employed person, or is it actually a disguised employee? "Many self-employed people now have questions about the DBA Act," says Karin. Martijn: 'We help entrepreneurs, for example, to adapt their employment situation to the new law. And they offer model agreements with which they can record the employment relationship with a client.' 'And if you need a check of such a contract,' Karin continues, 'then our legal specialists are ready to help you.'
Trying out
"We can of course tell you that both memberships are of great benefit to you," says Karin. Martijn continues: 'But you only really notice it if you just try it. That is why we would like to make you an offer: if you supplement your Union membership now with a membership for Het Ondernemerscollectief, you will receive the first year from us as a gift. This way, as a self-employed person, you can experience for yourself how valuable our collaboration is!'
Would you like to take advantage of this great offer immediately and become a member of Het Ondernemerscollectief for free? Go to the website and enter the code UNIEOC100 in. After the first year you pay the fixed price of €59 per year, excluding VAT and 100 percent deductible as business expenses.
