Is Wage-Earning Obsolete?

The future of work is an old story. But the transformation of the markets for goods and services has never seemed as profound as it does today. New technologies allow us to free ourselves from the intermediation of large retailers, for both supply side and demand.

It is no longer necessary for consumers to go to a store to find a service whose quality is ensured by the brand. Suppliers no longer need access to a company’s reputation to reach potential customers. All this information is now available on our phones and on the Internet, with unprecedented feedback and location capabilities.

In this context, many employees are tempted by the adventure of self-employment and more and more jobs will eventually go through platforms enabling customers to quickly find the supplier they need. This applies to companies themselves, which are tempted to reorganise by increasingly turning to the self-employed.

This development raises important questions. How far can we disintermediate markets? Can a company only operate with a pool of self-employed workers? What is the future of major brands, particularly in the field of distribution and household services? How can we adapt the labour code and social security schemes to ensure the continuity of rights between different statuses (pensions, unemployment insurance, health care, training)? How will employment contracts evolve?