The Giggers - Contractors and Self-Employed “Microbusinesses” are being left behind

By Chisa Chervernick

1099 contractors and the self-employed are not eligible for unemployment assistance yet are being severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic at large rates. Artists, musicians, contractors, subcontractors, barbers, hair stylists, drivers, IT consultants, fitness instructors, freelancers, handyman/women, cleaners, home health nurses and other health care providers, countless other workers and self-employed types. It’s massive. This is where job-creation and innovation take place!

I’m also an artist - art festivals may be an artist’s sole revenue stream but have been canceled amid social distancing needs. Artists pay for their booth space. They pay a fee to submit their application to these events and, if accepted, are required to pay for their booth space, which can cost several hundreds of dollars per show. As arts festivals are closing, not only are artists losing their revenue stream, but they’re also out hundreds of dollars paid in booth fees to organizations who either cannot, or will not, reimburse artists for those fees. This is happening in every industry! 

Did you know that the gig economy workers and other self-employed individuals make up close to 1/3 of the workforce? They do not have sick time or healthcare benefits. They cannot file for unemployment if they’re sick. The federal “Families First” coronavirus response act’s expanded Family Medical Leave and Emergency Paid Sick Time do not apply to these workers- these protections do not protect 1/3 of our nation’s workforce.

The lieutenant Governor, John Husted said today that he’s been on the phone with the federal government asking for them to give both the authority and resources so that unemployment benefits may be used for 1099s. As it stands, if you didn’t pay into unemployment, you can’t receive unemployment benefits; the federal government would have to infuse money into that system to make that possible. Husted believes this is being considered as part of the federal relief package in front of Congress now. This needs to happen. We need to protect this wonderful and beautiful part of our economy. This is where job creation happens!!!

We need to protect the giggers.