Uber, Lyft say they will pay quarantined drivers
Source: LA Times
A prominent Senate Democrat is calling on the biggest gig economy companies to make it easier for on-demand workers to take time off amid the coronavirus outbreak, and several of the companies have either said they will do so or signaled they are open to the notion.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is asking Uber, Lyft, Postmates, Grubhub, Doordash and Instacart to alleviate some of the potential financial burden their drivers and couriers may face if they become ill with COVID-19 or choose to reduce their exposure by staying home.
In letters sent to each company Friday, Warner urged the companies to consider opening a health fund that workers could tap into to help cover testing or treatment. He also suggested offering workers the weekly average pay regardless of how much they work to lessen the incentive to keep working for those who are ill or may have been exposed.
In the letter, Warner said gig and contingent workers may be among the most vulnerable workers because they are potentially unable to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stay home when sick, work remotely or get medical treatment “without experiencing some kind of financial hardship.”
Read more: https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2020-03-06/senator-urges-uber-lyft-and-other-gig-companies-to-ensure-workers-financial-security-amid-covid-19-concerns
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