Classes 4 and 5: Small employers and self-employed in non-professional occupations: ‘petit-bourgeoisie or independents’
These form two of the basic positions in the class schema. Employers buy labour and so have some authority and control over employees. The self-employed neither buy nor sell labour.
Small employers are distinguished from large employers by the size rule +/- 10 employees.
Professional and higher technician small employers and self-employed go to the same class as employees in the same occupation (classes 1 or 2).
Hence Class 4 refers to non-professional occupations, i.e. self-employed and own account workers. Class 5 refers to farmers, etc.