They’ve been everywhere.

From Los Angeles and London to São Paulo and Moscow, on their bikes and motorcycles, in sweltering heat or bone-chilling cold, they’ve been the skeleton key that has pried open pandemic isolation by delivering everyday necessities, and comforts, to families around the globe.

Yet these gig economy drivers share something else. Often struggling to make ends meet, they mostly lack basic employment benefits such as a minimum wage, health insurance, paid time off, or the right to appeal if they’re fired.

Now, however, that may be changing.

Last week, the 27-nation European Union unveiled a proposal that would give them the same rights as employees of traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/2021/1216/Gig-contractor-or-employee-Delivery-drivers-seek-rights-worldwide?mc_cid=a38d343096&mc_eid=0d9cf436e3