Thread by @TowardsFairWork

1/ There's a massive battle under way in the US and elsewhere over how gig workers should be classified - independent contractors, or employees?👇

2/ Uber, Amazon and other platforms have been lobbying for 'gig company carve-out policies' at federal and state levels, which would exempt them from providing their workers with basic employment protections.

nelp.org/publication/ri…

3/ To do this, they're pushing policies that codify into law a test for independent contractor status that simply restates their current business models. Such carve-out policies are already in effect in seven US states! BUT...

4/ ...several states are pushing back! California's landmark 'AB5' has set a precedent that may well begin to rebalance the scales. And similar legislation is being pushed in NY, Washington state and Oregon. New Jersey recently fined Uber $649m for unemployment back taxes.

5/ How this debate plays out will shape the gig economy in the US and beyond for decades to come.

At #Fairwork, we firmly believe that all workers, irrespective of employment status, deserve fair pay and conditions.

Read more about our principles: fair.work