Bogus self-employment and bogus internships: an institutional approach to the Spanish case

Abstract

The article aims to contribute to the debate on irregular employment in Spain, by addressing bogus self-employment and bogus internships forms. Drawing from an institutional approach, it analyses the influence that three fields have on these labour frauds, derived from managerial approaches aiming to obtain competitive advantageous: two state fields associated to the regulation and the enforcement of the regulation, articulated through the Labour and Social Security Inspectorate (ITSS); and the industrial relations field which, in Spain, strongly depends on the state and the legislation. The article confirms the relevance of the three institutional fields studied, the interaction and interrelation of which contributes to understand the existence of both fraudulent practices. At the same time, elements and initiatives are identified that suggest that, within the existing institutional framework, there is room to contribute to reduce its diffusion.