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Comment by blackcats | Hacker News Reader

Many European countries have some kind of “safety net”, so people can be seen as disposable.

First client was scamming you. Send invoices early and regularly. No pay, no work

Here non-EU foreigners aren't eligible to receive social benefits like unemployment income until after we've been here and paying into the social safety system for 2 years. So the 2nd company should have known they were letting me go without any government support coming. And it's not so much the money that's the issue, I have another freelance/consulting job lined up starting soon. It's just the frustration of investing myself in the work to only get in return broken promises and being replaced despite very positive feedback.

As for the first company, they paid the invoices, just were incredibly unprofessional about it. Including insulting me for "daring" to invoice them for full time work at the agreed up on rates. I got my money but they irreparably damaged the relationship.

You're a freelancer though.. why would you expect government support or benefits when you're not an employee? That's all part of risk in being self-employed and why you must charge a lot more to safeguard you. I would focus on the lessons from your experience - don't get so invested and make sure your rates are high enough.

I wasn't a freelancer at the 2nd company, I signed a full time employment contract with the expectation I would be employed indefinitely as long as I fulfilled my duties.

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