@ISIDEWITHQuestionseconomyStarted 4yrs agoActive 3wks ago

Should gig workers such as Uber drivers be classified as employees?

In January 2021 the U.S. Labor Department ruled that gig workers, such as Uber and Doordash drivers, would not be covered by federal minimum-wage and overtime laws. The ruling means that gig workers could be responsible for paying their employer a portion of social security taxes and would not be eligible to receive health insurance or retirement benefits. U.S. states aren’t required to follow the federal rule and can pass their own laws regulating these workers. Proponents say “flexible work” is overwhelmingly preferred by those who choose to earn on gig-economy platforms…  

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 18.5k America voters.

71%
Yes
29%
No
66%
Yes
22%
No
5%
Yes, if they work at least forty hours per week
5%
No, they should be classified as independent contractors
2%
No, and the government should never intervene in a contract between a private company and worker

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from America voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @95SYXDM from Michigan answered…2yrs2Y

No, but Contract work should be expanded to include more protections. With technological advances, we will see a move toward more freelance style work. Workers deserve to be protected, always.

 @95HVTXL from California answered…2yrs2Y

no because they can quit when every they want they are their own boss. but uber pays them

 @93Z8WKT from Oklahoma answered…2yrs2Y

No, but these workers should be afforded some semblance of insurance in case of an accident while working on the company's behalf

 @97Q9Q6N from Connecticut answered…2yrs2Y

No, they should be classified as entrepreneurs

 @97QYR5Gfrom Northern Mariana Islands answered…2yrs2Y

No, but they should still be entitled to the government safety nets that typical "employees" have.

 @97ZW7SD from Kansas answered…2yrs2Y

No, but contract/gig workers should receive better protections and benefits

 @944QNMB from Arizona answered…2yrs2Y

Leave it up to employers what they offer, and to ees what they accept

 @97QJZVY  from Missouri answered…3wks3W

Depends on the instance and how the company treats the worker. In certain instances, yes, in others, no.

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…16hrs16H

Venezuela cancels passports of dozens of activists and journalists

Venezuela has cancelled the passports of dozens of journalists and activists since Nicolás Maduro claimed a re-election victory, part of what rights groups say is an intensifying campaign of repression against the authoritarian president’s opponents.At least 40 people — mostly journalists and human rights activists — have had their passports annulled without explanation, according to Caracas-based rights group Laboratorio de Paz, which warns that the number is likely to be much higher due to Venezuelans’ fear of reporting cases.Others have had their passports confiscated by authorities while attempting to board flights from the country’s main airport.“It was terrifying,” said one rights activist, whose passport was taken by authorities at the airport last week without explanation. He declined to give his name for fear of reprisals. “I knew it was a risk that I could have my passport taken or be jailed when I got to the airport, and they went with the former.”Carla, a journalist who chose not to give her surname, discovered while abroad that her passport had been cancelled.“I asked myself, ‘now where do I come from,’” said Carla, who is not sure whether she will try to return home.The cancellation of passports comes amid a wider campaign of repression in response to anti-government protests that broke out following an election verdict that has not been recognised by the Organization of American States, the US and the EU.

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2 days2D

Iran Warns to U.S. Allies Don’t Help Israel, or You’re Next

Tehran is threatening in secret diplomatic backchannels to target the oil-rich Arab Gulf states and other American allies in the Middle East if their territories or airspace are used for an attack on Iran, said Arab officials.Israel has threatened Tehran with a severe reprisal after Iran fired about 180 ballistic missiles at Israel earlier this month, with some Israeli officials and commentators pushing for damaging strikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities or oil infrastructure. In that event, Iran has warned it would respond with devastating hits on Israel’s civilian infrastructure, and would retaliate against any Arab state that facilitated the attack, the officials said.The Arab officials said the countries that Iran has threatened include Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, all of which host U.S. troops. These states have told the Biden administration that they don’t want their military infrastructure or airspace to be used by the U.S. or Israel for any offensive operations against Iran, the officials said. While the Iranian threats are vague, they have raised concerns in energy-rich Persian Gulf states that their oil facilities—long viewed as protected by an American security umbrella—could be hit, the Arab officials said. U.S. military installations and forces in the region could also be at risk in a region with one of the highest concentrations of American troops in the world, they added.While the Iranian threats are vague, they have raised concerns in energy-rich Persian Gulf states that their oil facilities—long viewed as protected by an American security umbrella—could be hit, the Arab officials said. U.S. military installations and forces in the region could also be at risk in a region with one of the highest concentrations of American troops in the world, they added.

▲  4720 replies1 disagree