I have to admit continuing surprise when I constantly find that economists do not draw the link between how the law defines employment and the operation of markets. The laws definition of employment appears to be considered so irrelevant to economic performance as to not even be worthy of remote consideration. Generally, economists appear to see employment as a legal neuter. My proposition however is that what the law says of employment has fundamental impact on the behaviour and economic interactions and outputs of people. Further what the law says of employment is a primary and fundamental factor constraining the development of markets in general and free labour markets in particular.
Markets are simple.
Markets are facilitated by simple offer and acceptance of contract subject to product or service availability, quality and price. Markets are not complex although they are frequently over-analysed. A fundamental prerequisite for the existence of markets is the legal right of the individual to exercise free choice. In markets individuals are not legally controlled by anyone. In markets individuals legally control themselves.