Congresswoman Miller's Statement on Safe Harbor Inclusion in Senate COVID-19 Relief Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) today released the following statement regarding Senate Republican's inclusion of provisions of the bipartisan Helping Gig Economy Workers Act of 2020 in their COVID-19 relief package. The legislation creates a legal safe harbor which allows businesses to provide independent contractors with assistance during the COVID-19 public health emergency without the threat of litigation over employee classification.

"I applaud Leader McConnell and my colleagues in the Senate for including a safe harbor provision to protect benefits for gig economy workers during the pandemic in their most recent COVID-19 relief package," said Congresswoman Miller. "It is crucial that digital platform companies have the resources and freedom they need to effectively provide a safe environment for both gig economy workers and their customers. These workers are essential to keeping our communities going, and I am committed to supporting them. I urge my colleagues in the House to take up my safe harbor legislation immediately to help gig economy workers during this unprecedented public health emergency."

Background:
Congresswoman Miller joined Henry Cuellar (D-TX) to introduce this bipartisan legislation in May 2020 with the Senate companion bill being introduced by Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Tim Scott (R-SC).

The Helping Gig Economy Workers Act permits digital market place companies to provide, through the duration of the COVID-19 crisis, payments, health benefits, trainings, and PPE to users of the digital marketplace without it being used as evidence in any federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation for the purposes of determining whether a user is considered an employee or independent contractor or the company is considered a joint employer.