Probably was the case, and in some countries, still is the case. But workplace rule-makers know this and have been long trying to bring a contractor under a lo

Probably was the case, and in some countries, still is the case. But workplace rule-makers know this and have been long trying to bring a contractor under a long term arrangement to be seen as an employee. The employers don't want it, the contractors don't want it, but the rule makers do, because they see this type of free-association employment as a way around the rules, rather than as a contract people willingly enter into.