(Sponsored Content) -- Gig workers within the ride-hailing sector do not want the federal government to institute laws that would take away their independent contractor status.
Of current gig workers surveyed, 65% consider themselves to be independent contractors, while only 28% said they think of themselves as employees, according to the Pew Research Center.
"I’ve been an entrepreneur all my life," said Lance Hutchinson, an Uber driver. "I like the ability to be an independent contractor even now that I am semi-retired. I don’t need government protecting me as a ride-share driver. Please do not force me into an employee relationship! The CEO of Uber has offered some serious suggestions to give gig employees added options for benefits. I hope you will just as seriously consider those proposals.”
Most Americans would “describe drivers for companies that offer ride-hailing apps like Uber or Lyft as independent,” the Pew Research Center said, based on the survey conducted last Aug. 23-29 of 10,348 U.S. adults.
"Driving for Uber as an independent contractor is an exceptional opportunity in terms both of income potential, where I determine how much or how little I can earn, and equally important is the flexibility that it offers in terms of specific time, days and duration of work," said Clayton Creamer, an Uber driver.
The Pew study revealed that 62% of American adults consider ride-hailing drivers to be independent contractors, while 35% consider them to be employees. Among Republicans, 71% describe ride-hailing drivers as independent contractors and 25% say they are employees. Among Democrats, 54% say that ride-hailing drivers are independent contractors and 44% say they are employees. Pew also found that Democratic respondents favor further regulations of gig economy companies and seek more legal protections for drivers.
"When asked what is the most appropriate way to classify drivers for ride-hailing companies, the public is more likely to say 'independent contractor' rather than 'employee,'" The Pew Center reported. "Beyond the debate around classification, there is majority support for better protections for drivers: 57% of Americans think those who drive for ride-hailing companies deserve greater legal protections from being mistreated."
Gig workers tend to be more active in politics than their traditional counterparts. Research shows “political activity is 19 points higher than for traditional workers,” with 72% of gig workers stating they would vote for candidates who advocated for their interests, according to Forbes.
The Pew Research Center reported that 42% of Americans were not aware of debates on how ride-hailing drivers should be classified, while 56% of Americans said they had some semblance of the idea.