Gig Drivers Like Uber and Lyft's Are Entitled To Leave benefits: Washington Decides Under Latest Bill

Washington became the first state in the U.S. to grant ride-hail drivers’ family and medical leave as the Senate unanimously passed the HB 1570 bill.
The bill builds on driver rights won in 2022’s Expand Fairness Act, which set a high statewide wage floor for drivers and established a right to protections against unjustified dismissal, worker’s compensation insurance, and paid sick time, TechCrunch reports.
The win comes a month after the state upheld Proposition 22, which classified Uber Technologies, Inc UBER and Lyft, Inc LYFT drivers as independent contractors rather than employees.
Washington’s ruling could have a ripple effect in other states fighting to grant gig workers employment benefits.
The bill will head to Governor Jay Inslee’s desk to become law.
Now the ride-hail drivers will gain access to the same program as other workers in the state, which offers up to 12 weeks of paid leave due to severe health conditions or if they need to take time off to care for a family member or a new child.
According to the union, Uber and Lyft will fully bear the cost of their driver’s premiums for the program.
Washington has more than 30,000 Uber and Lyft drivers, most of whom are immigrants, according to a 2022 study.
Price Action: UBER shares traded lower by 1.18% at $31.07 on the last check Friday.