Statement on Congressional Passage of the CARE Act in light of COVID-19

Postmates applauds Congress for their leadership in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing attempt to support businesses and citizens during this unprecedented time. The unconventional types of earners that have been fueling the COVID-19 response by providing critical on-demand delivery capabilities to small businesses in communities throughout our country, and providing much needed supplies to vulnerable populations need a common sense safety net that is designed to fit their flexible work.

It is critical that our country’s entrepreneurs and independent contractors are not left behind in this process, and today’s first step in passing the CARE Act is a strong move in the right direction. During shelter in place and restricted movement orders “gig workers” have been deemed “essential” in jurisdictions ranging from federal to municipal due to their critical importance in supporting small businesses and the over 167 million people in the United States that are being urged to stay home. It is critical to acknowledge these individual’s contributions and their efforts toward our response and recovery to this national emergency reasonably and responsibly.

Postmates has taken a series of measures to address couriers’ needs during this pandemic and has long advocated for gig workers’ access to sensible benefits. We continue to urge bi-partisan legislation that creates a “third way” of portable benefits to honor the unconventional workers that could not support our country’s recovery if they were limited to a traditional work environment.