Republicans unveil plan for 'portable benefits' for gig workers

A group of Republican senators have released legislation that would make it easier for companies to provide benefits like healthcare to independent workers, the latest move in the fight over the treatment of independent workers and the gig economy.

Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Tim Scott (R-SC), and Rand Paul (R-KY) announced the plan this week. The legislation is meant to modernize labor laws in the U.S. and make it easier for millions of independent and gig workers to access so-called “portable benefits.”