You are free to take the job or not. You are free to compete at some level. Sometimes it is about accomplishment more than profit.
True, true, fair point, but you are also free to choose whether to invest your hard earned money or not.
The Employer invests his time to bid on the contract. That is often a very lengthy and time consuming process and if he doesn't get the contract, he does it for free.
The Employer provides the credentials, reputation, track record, business license, general liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, E & O (if required), and various other insurance and bonds as necessary to complete the process.
The Employer usually has to pay for any environmental impact studies done, prove that he complies with zoning laws, and get necessary permits, get approvals from necessary utilities and other entities before work can begin.
The Employer provides the infrastructure, equipment, supplies, and, as often as not, any tools necessary to complete the job.
The Employer will be named in any lawsuit, regardless of whether he was at fault in any way, arising out of the contract and will have to pay any legal costs associated by that.
The Employer is responsible to provide any necessary support staff and supervisory personnel and sometimes will provide transportation.
The Employer will have to meet the payroll and pay all other impending costs until sufficient work has been completed so that he receives some payment.
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The Employee has to show up for work, put in the required effort, collect his pay check and he goes home. If the job folds or the employer loses the contract, he might lose a pay check, but for the most part his investment and risk is minimal compared to that the employer assumes.
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Okay your turn. Rebut that if you can.
And then maybe you might shift your thinking about who benefits more. The employer? Or the 100 guys who are able to pay their mortgage, buy groceries, and keep their kids in school.
Even Independent Contractors are signing contracts and taking risks. Risk is part of life no matter what part of the equation your interest lies. There are few guarantee's.