A new campaign is set to unite Europe’s freelance workers in a call for better conditions. Working freelance is fast becoming the normal mode of employment, with nine million Europeans classified as independent professionals – almost four percent of all workers.

But while freelancing brings independence, it also has challenges. Freelancers are isolated and ignored by politicians, who create employment and business laws without considering solo workers.

The recently launched European Freelancers’ Movement wants 10,000 independent workers to sign a five-point manifesto that calls for better recognition, access to services, and fairer treatment by governments and businesses. The campaign has been set up by a coalition of organisations, networks and individuals striving to change the political landscape in favour of freelancers.

The campaign’s manifesto, which asks EU authorities to recognise freelancers as a legitimate employment and business category, will be presented to the newly elected European Parliament in September. Once recognised, the manifesto demands freelancers be given access to government services and funding, from which they are often excluded.

Better statistics are a key demand, as official data about freelancers are unreliable, and freelancers’ organisations are requesting to be consulted by governments when drafting policy.

Businesses are also being called upon to treat freelancers fairly, with better contracts and condition.

‘Freelancers are a large and important part of the European workforce, but we are ignored by politicians and isolated from each other,’ said Joel Dullroy, campaign manager of the European Freelancers Movement. ‘These simple requests are the most basic first steps politicians can take to improving conditions for independent workers.’