Precarious but popular? The German mini-job scheme in comparative research on work and welfare

Abstract

This review paper critically examines a range of analytical frameworks used to analyse the German mini-job scheme in comparative research on work and welfare. The approaches examined include labour market dualisation in comparative political economy research and welfare-to-work policies in comparative social policy research. The paper claims that using stylized facts instead of a thorough understanding of the broader context of national employment and social systems leads to misinterpretations in terms of policy learning. By describing the institutional context and main drivers of the evolution of mini-jobs over time, based on variety of data sources, statistics and empirical studies, the paper addresses the critical role of this specific employment scheme for gender equality, largely ignored in the comparative literature.

Predictability and transparency of working conditions for food delivery platform workers across selected EU countries

“…In Germany, Lieferando commonly hires riders on so‐called ‘mini‐job’ contracts, a regulated contractual category specific to marginal part‐time employment in the German labour market. Mini‐jobs have an earnings limit (a maximum of €520 a month, €450 before October 2022) and limited (pensions) or no (health insurance, unemployment benefits) direct access to social security benefits (Konle‐Seidl, 2021). In the Netherlands, riders for Thuisbezorgd are temporary agency workers and thereby part of the so‐called ‘ABU phase system’ of the Dutch Federation of Private Employment Agencies (ABU).…”