Latinos Dominate the U.S. Gig Economy — Now, They Face Greater Risk of Loss
March 27, 2024
Independent work is alive and well, but perhaps not for much longer.
That’s because the Department of Labor’s new independent contractor rule would make it harder to be classified as an independent worker. It would likely lead to many of these workers being reclassified as employees or risk losing their livelihoods entirely.
This is terrible news for families and individuals doing their best to make ends meet — often through independent work such as real estate agents, painters, nannies and website designers.
Half of all immigrants are engaged in independent work. Low barriers to entry allow women, immigrants, younger individuals and those with lower incomes to make a living through independent work.
For Hispanics, a whopping 50 percent of whom report being independent workers, it’s a gateway to the labor market, earning part-time or full-time income through consulting, delivery services, nursing, ride-sharing, dog-walking — you name it.
Freelancing, contract work, app-based gigs and side hustles are increasingly prevalent in today’s workforce nationwide. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 57.2 million U.S. workers were in the independent workforce. Since then, the estimated number of freelancers has skyrocketed to 73.3 million and is growing.