Our self-employed workforce is the hidden backbone of the British economy. The self-employed make up roughly 15% of our workforce and are pivotal to the UK’s fastest growing and most innovative industries such as in science, engineering, healthcare, the arts, entertainment, the media and to the delivery of other important services across the country.
We are the collective voice of the self-employed. Community is a proud champion of the five million strong self-employed and freelance community across the UK. We bring together self-employed and freelance workers, giving you a strong collective voice to lobby for much needed changes like an extension of workers rights to protect the self-employed while maintaining that freedom and flexibility you enjoy.
For many people, self-employment is the answer to finding a good work-life balance. It can be extremely rewarding, but it can also mean longer hours, less pay, and more worry about your finances. We’re fighting for a better working world, and we want you to join us.
We’re using our collective voice to raise up the voices of the self-employed and freelancers, and arguing for better support and provisions. Check out our campaign here. Sign the petition and get involved here.
Watch the campaign video:
We also recently ran an inquiry into the future of self-employment in the UK and sponsored a Centre for London report too. You can see the inquiry here and the report here.
Being a part of our collective voice
We believe that trade unions are not “also for the self-employed” – they are especially for the self-employed. Throughout the rest of the pandemic and into the recovery, as you fight for the support and rights you deserve, we’ll be by your side every step of the way. You can see more information on the benefits of joining Community as a self-employed person or freelancer here.
Any self-employed person can join our union and be part of the collective voice for the self-employed. Whether you’re self-employed full time or part time, whether you’re a freelancer, sole trader or run as a limited company or a sub-contractor. Whoever you are, whatever your industry and however you work, you’re welcome to join us.
For more information, contact self-employed@community-tu.org
“I’d been self-employed for 10 years, and back then I couldn’t see why I would need a union. Since I joined, I have been reassured by regular correspondence from Community and its fight, on our behalf, to secure the Self Employed Income Support Scheme and the continuing fight to recognise those that have fallen through the cracks of the Government’s grant eligibility policy. Now that I have a union that represents me, I understand the strength in bringing people with shared experiences together, to change things for the better. ”
- Helen, Self-employed Community member
© Community Trade Union 2022