‘Don’t let us die’: US gig workers brace for unemployment benefits cliff

A delivery rider pedals with a food order. Millions of contractors and out-of-work people in the US will be without an extra lifeline when the expanded unemployment benefits expire on Sept 6. — AP

WASHINGTON: Ridesharing driver Meheru Lambero has slowly been recovering from Covid-19 since he tested positive about a month ago, but fears that he will end up sleeping on the streets after US federal pandemic unemployment benefits end on Sept 6.

Lambero said he has been relying on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, introduced in March 2020 for self-employed workers, business owners and gig workers who did not qualify for regular benefits.