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Article

31 Mar 2023

Author:
Max Zahn, ABC News

USA: Seattle becomes first US city to guarantee paid sick leave to gig workers under new law

"Seattle law grants most gig workers paid sick leave," 30 Mar. 2023

Seattle will provide paid sick and safe leave for most gig workers under a new law, becoming the first U.S. city to guarantee such benefits on a permanent basis for app-based employees.

... The law permanently enshrines a temporary measure that mandated paid sick and safe leave for some food delivery workers in Seattle during the pandemic, when many customers stuck at home came to depend on delivery services. That measure was set to expire on May 1 [2023].

... The new law expands the type of workers covered from food delivery employees to those working for a slew of apps covering a range of "on-demand" tasks. Gig workers who set their own pay will not be covered.

... In a statement, Instacart said it is open to collaboration with lawmakers on enhanced worker protections but that the new law could lead to higher prices for its customers.

"Instacart is committed to providing shoppers what they need to earn on their terms, and we continue to make shopper health and safety a top priority," the company said. "Instacart is willing to work with any policymaker that prioritizes the health and safety of shoppers who choose to earn income through our platform."

"However, at a time of high inflation and tightening household budgets, it is critical that policymakers also take into account the rising financial burden their misguided policy proposals could have on their constituents," the company added.

... [O]ver the past five years, legislators in nine states have proposed laws that would guarantee portable benefits for gig workers that would travel with them from one app-based company to the next, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.