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Fragmented solidarity: self-employed platform workers and employees in the hospitality sector

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  • Anja Eleveld
  • Erik Wesselius

Abstract

Drawing on a qualitative study conducted in the Netherlands, this article examines how solidarity is shaped in the hospitality sector, in which solo self-employed platform workers and employees work side by side. Our findings show that divergent identities and interests, reinforced by legal frameworks, may undermine solidarity both among self-employed platform workers and between them and regular employees, while also weakening trade union efforts to construct a shared identity along the traditional labour-capital divide. Competition further fragments platform workers and sharpens boundaries with employed staff in their daily interactions. This creates a central challenge for union strategies. Although unions in the Netherlands and elsewhere have successfully pursued lawsuits to have self-employed platform workers reclassified as employees, our study suggests that their organising strategies will fail to engage those who deliberately choose self-employment, without parallel legal reforms.

Suggested Citation

  • Anja Eleveld & Erik Wesselius, 2026. "Fragmented solidarity: self-employed platform workers and employees in the hospitality sector," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 32(1), pages 85-100, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:32:y:2026:i:1:p:85-100
    DOI: 10.1177/10242589251413782
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