parasubordinato

Parasubordinato is a term used in Italian labor discourse to describe a type of worker whose relationship with a client or employer is not fully that of a traditional employee, yet is not entirely autonomous. It refers to arrangements that sit between subordinate employment and independent professional activity, often characterized by economic dependence on one or more clients and a degree of supervision or coordination, but without a standard employment contract.

The concept is commonly associated with forms of collaboration that are not full-time employment. Historically, inps-identified forms such as coordinated and continuous collaboration (collaborazione coordinata e continuativa, Co.Co.Co.) and project-based collaboration (collaborazione a progetto) have been cited as examples of parasubordinate relationships. These arrangements typically involve a defined scope of work, professional input from the contractor, and compensation tied to the activity performed, rather than a fixed salary or full employee benefits.

Parasubordinati differ from autonomous professionals (liberi professionisti) who generally operate independently and issue invoices, and from traditional subordinate employees who are covered by standard employment contracts and payroll benefits. The label parasubordinato is largely descriptive and used to indicate a spectrum of work arrangements that are not clearly employee or independent contractor in status. In practice, the precise status of a parasubordinato depends on contract terms, the degree of client control, and the level of economic dependence, as determined by labor law and enforcement bodies.

The term remains common in public discourse and analyses of precarious or atypical work, but official classification relies on the specific contract type and applicable laws.