New €350 monthly freelancer tax “will kill innovation in Germany”
The German government’s plan to force freelancers to pay a compulsory retirement tax will kill off entrepreneurship and destroy millions of independent careers. That’s the opinion of Tim Wessels, who has launched a petition against the so-called “Rewarding Life’s Work” law. Freelancers will be forced to pay a minimum of €350 a month to support the pension system.
Freelancers to pay more in Germany
In Germany, from July 1st 2013, many self-empolyed workers risk enduring significant financial burdens that threaten their professional existence, especially for those who have inconsistent or precarious sources of income. The creative economy is likely to shrink as a result. Here is a petition to the German parliament urging them to review this bill.
Freelancers of the World, Grab Your Bills!
According to a recent survey carried out by the Freelancers Union, 77% of freelancers - totaling just under 27 million workers - have been subject to nonpayment, having difficulty collecting money owed for services provided. Even more troubling is that at present, these workers remain unprotected by state legislation, and lack any legal means to collect outstanding dues. To address this unfair issue, The Freelancers Union today will launch the World’s Longest Invoice.
Coworking at Europe's biggest tech fair
While hundreds of coworking enthusiasts gathered in Austin last week at the Global Coworking Unconference Conference to discuss all things familiar, another intrepid group of coworking missionaries entered unchartered territory. This year, a faction of the German coworking movement visited CeBIT, the biggest consumer technology fair in Europe.