Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signed a pioneering law on Wednesday that permanently guarantees paid sick leave and safe time to most gig workers in the city. This measure builds upon pandemic-era protections, solidifying labor rights for app-based workers engaged with platforms like DoorDash, Postmates, and Instacart.

　　The city's previous policy, which allowed food delivery workers to accrue paid sick and safe time, was set to expire on May 1, following the end of the COVID-19 emergency order. The unanimous vote by the City Council extended these benefits indefinitely to "on-demand" gig workers beyond just food delivery services, encompassing those working for car wash apps and other similar platforms. However, it excludes workers who set their own rates, such as some pet-sitting app workers.

　　Drivers for transportation companies like Uber and Lyft already have access to paid sick leave due to a state law enacted by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee last year. Seattle had been at the forefront of worker protection since 2012 when it mandated businesses provide paid sick and safe leave to employees dealing with health issues or domestic violence situations.

　　The expansion of this policy is another win for labor advocates in Seattle, following last spring's approval of a bill ensuring minimum pay and mileage for app drivers. While Instacart expressed reservations about the new law, suggesting it could increase financial burdens on households, supporters argue that all workers should have the right to take sick time when necessary.

　　President Joe Biden’s administration has proposed federal standards that could make it harder to classify millions of workers as independent contractors, potentially granting them minimum wage and benefits. Seattle City Council Member Teresa Mosqueda, who sponsored the recent measure, underscored the importance of safeguarding the health of front-line workers.

　　Under the new law, gig workers will earn one day of paid sick or safe time for every 30 days they complete a work-related task within Seattle. Their compensation for each day of leave would be based on their average daily earnings over the preceding 12 months.

　　Maria Hernandez, a food delivery worker since 2019, shared her personal experience where she couldn't afford to take the recommended three-month break after breast cancer surgery because her company's paid sick leave only covered COVID-19 related illnesses. She emphasized that this permanent law brings peace of mind to workers facing health challenges.

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