If EasyJet wants to work with permanent "contractors" then they are doing completely illegal practices, just like Ryanair.
European legislation states that any person who is receiving a duty schedule (roster), company uniform and holiday/ off-days from a company is an EMPLOYEE of that company and NOT self-employed. The company is then accountable for organising false self-employment,which is a crime and which is always the resonsibility of the employer, not the employee. As a result, the company is also liable to pay the employees taxes etc.
Also, to be "self-employed" you need to have at least 2 customers, something which is not allowed by most airlines...
I have extensive files from various law-firms about this (mostly focussing on the Belgian legislation) and the case is very simple. The airlines EMPLOY us, there is no such thing as self-employed pilots flying full time for airlines.