Beacon Hill News
Rep. Vargas Bill Would Give Rideshare and Delivery Drivers Employee Status
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Rideshare and delivery drivers, currently classified as independent contractors, would be entitled to full employment benefits if a bill filed in the House by Haverhill Rep. Andy X. Vargas wins passage. Vargas testified Monday in support of his bill which would benefit drivers for such companies as Uber, Lyft, Instacart and others by requiring employers to provide benefits and protection. Vargas said he worked as driver while in college and often earned less than minimum wage. “Classifying drivers as independent contractors shifts nearly all the risk and liability onto drivers and allows companies to skirt the basic protections other employers must comply with. Our local businesses in Haverhill pay into unemployment insurance, workers comp and provide a minimum wage and overtime.