Lawmakers Consider Introducing Benefit Programs for Independent Workers

Home office” by David Martyn Hunt licensed under CC BY 2.0

Source: NPR

In four U.S. states, lawmakers have considered proposals to improve benefits and care available to contract or independent workers.

The majority of America’s 68 million independent workers to not have access to any employee benefits, reported NPR.

In Virginia, Sen. Mark Warner proposed a bill last month to test a portable benefits program that would essentially “travel” with the independent worker from job to job.

One of the main reasons companies don’t offer benefits to independent contractors is because they would be likely be categorized as employees, which receive more benefits under the hiring company.

One company, Stride Health, has already taken on the task of developing a software to give independent workers access to health care and benefits.

Read full story at: NPR

Justice & Poverty, News
Justice & Poverty, News