Empowering App-Based Workers Act

This bill sets clear rules for app-based work (like ride-hail and delivery). Platforms must tell workers how they track them and how algorithms make decisions that affect their jobs and pay, including what data is used and how it’s weighted. Workers get itemized pay details after each job and weekly summaries showing pay, tips, time worked, miles, and the platform’s cut. Workers can ask for deeper explanations within a few days. Platforms must also keep worker data safe, limit what they collect to time on the job, and can’t use interfaces that hide or mislead about pay or bonuses. The bill bars using personal data to guess things like immigration status or health. It requires “equal pay for equal work” on the app and limits using worker-specific data to set lower pay. For ride-hail, the platform’s take rate is capped at 25%. Platforms must publish anonymized pay and workforce data each year. Workers can name an authorized agent to receive notices, and they’re protected from retaliation if they speak up. There are strong enforcement tools, including the right to sue and significant penalties. The bill does not preempt stronger state laws and bans forced arbitration and gag clauses. Agencies must issue rules, and nothing here should reduce workers’ scheduling flexibility or access to work (for example, by cutting hours to comply) .

• Who is affected: App-based workers, applicants, customers of these platforms, and the platforms (including vendors acting for them) .
• What changes:
  • Clear notices before and during use of monitoring or algorithmic tools; quick, detailed “how it works” explanations on request .
  • Per-job receipts and weekly pay reports with take rate, time, miles, tips, and wages in the worker’s primary language; records must be accessible for 48 months .
  • Data limits: collect only during work; keep it private; share requested data within 5 business days; retain records 4 years; no selling except as allowed with notice .
  • Pay fairness: no lower offers for similar jobs without clear cost reasons; restrict using individualized data to set pay; no deceptive pay interfaces .
  • Ride-hail take rate capped at 25% of non-tip charges; platforms must publish anonymized workforce and pay data; the Labor Department posts annual data too .
  • Rights and enforcement: workers