Rights for US gig workers are a political issue now, but many of them can’t vote

A rideshare driver holds up a sign supporting a no vote on Proposition 22 in Oakland, California, United States, on Oct 9. — AFP

This November, gig economy companies won a resounding victory on the California, United States, ballot. Voters overwhelmingly agreed to allow them to keep their workers as contractors, not employees. Now, those companies want to export that framework to the rest of the country.

Executives at Uber Technolgies Inc, Lyft Inc and DoorDash Inc have all called California’s decision a blueprint for future fights, as states around the country scrutinise the future of gig worker rights. The companies have even created a new national advocacy group to shape political discussions. That means voters and elected legislators could be increasingly called on to determine the employment rights of their Uber drivers and DoorDash couriers.