NEWS RELEASE
Rep. Hodan Hassan
Minnesota House of Representatives
District 62B – 651-296-0294 – rep.hodan.hassan@house.mn.gov
597 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Marlee Schlegel
651-296-9873 or marlee.schlegel@house.mn.gov
March 9, 2023
Legislation to improve working conditions for rideshare drivers heard in committee
Saint Paul, Minn. – Today, the Labor Industry Finance and Policy committee passed legislation to increase protections for drivers of technology network companies, commonly known as rideshare companies. These companies, such as Uber and Lyft, hire drivers as independent contractors, which leaves drivers responsible for both employer and employee taxes and expenses, exempts the company from providing benefits, and excludes drivers from many standard workplace protections.
The bill is authored by Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL – Minneapolis).
“Rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have been exploiting their drivers for years, and the problem is only getting worse,” said Rep. Hassan. “Not only do drivers have to pay all of their own expenses including their car, commercial insurance, and gas, but they’re subject to abuse from riders and termination without a word or reason from the company. These companies are putting the majority of their expenses on the drivers, operating with little overhead and leaving drivers with 40-50% of a ride fare on average. It is abundantly clear that these companies have no interest in caring for their drivers, and we must act immediately to stand up for these vulnerable workers.”
Testifiers from the Minnesota Uber/Lyft Drivers Association filled the committee room to testify about working conditions and insufficient, unlivable wages. You can view the hearing on the Minnesota House YouTube Page.
The bill has been referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy committee.
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