In a pivotal win for gig worker on Thursday , the New York State Court of Appeals support a former state ruling that Postmates worker should be considered employee , and thus eligible for unemployment insurance policy . While the gig economy ’s unstable nature has add up under fire in recent years , the covid-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the hazardous conditions this workforce faces with few , if any , legal protection or job security .
That ’s because Postmates , along with other major gig economic system players such as Uber and Lyft , frequently lean on the controversy that their workers are independent contractors to avoid yield for the types of benefits legally involve for employees . Thanks to this ruling , though , Postmates must now make up into the state of matter ’s Unemployment Insurance Fund for each of their workers .
“ Today ’s determination is a huge triumph for thousand of gig proletarian across New York , ” said Attorney General Letitia James per a press release . “ The court of law have solidify what we all have get laid for a while — obstetrical delivery drivers are employee and are entitled to the same unemployment benefits other employees can obtain . ”
Graphic: (Postmates)
https://gizmodo.com/postmates-to-offer-non-contact-food-deliveries-amid-c-1842170849
The state of matter ’s Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board previously side with Luis Vega , a former Postmates courier , that he should have been allow unemployment insurance benefit after commence elicit . The Court of Appeals uphold this , reason that Postmates “ dominates the meaning aspects of its couriers ’ workplace by dictate to which customers they can render , where to hand over the requested detail , in effect limiting the time skeleton for delivery and command all aspects of pricing and defrayal . ” That far exceeds the “ incidental command ” Postmates claimed it retain over its couriers .
Seeming to support this idea that its couriers are more than just independent contractors , Postmates roll outa healthcare fundfor its men originally this month to help bear for doctor ’s visits and other aesculapian expense in the wake of the eruption . Due to the public - facing nature of their jobs , drivers , couriers , and other gig economy workers have remain among the most at risk for potentially contracting and spread the fresh coronavirus — all while their unstable fiscal situations leave many of them unable to lose out on work .
“ As the nation battles the spread of the coronavirus and more and more employees are laid off , Postmates drivers should know they have the same safety nett 1000000 of others in New York have today , ” James continued .
COVID-19gig economyLyftPostmatesUber
Daily Newsletter
Get the upright tech , science , and culture intelligence in your inbox day by day .
News from the future , delivered to your present .
You May Also Like
