https://www.wired.com/story/california-lawmakers-move-protect-gig-economy-workers/

Legislation passed by the California Assembly on Wednesday could have a profound effect on hundreds of thousands of workers by requiring employers like Uber, Postmates, and Amazon Flex to recognize much of their workforce as employees entitled to labor protections and benefits. The legislation cuts to the heart of one of Silicon Valley’s fiercest debates at the moment: Should tech giants be allowed to cut costs by classifying the legions of gig-economy workers their companies rely on as independent contractors, or should they be forced to treat them as employees?

California lawmakers appear to be overwhelmingly in favor of the latter. Less than a month after ride-hail drivers around the globe briefly went on strike on the eve of Uber’s IPO to protest low wages and their status as contractors, the bill was approved 53-11. It now moves to the state Senate.