New York approves protective measures for food delivery workers

 New York City lawmakers have passed a raft of laws aimed at improving working conditions and paying food-delivery workers to app-based companies such as Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats.

With this move, New York becomes one of the first cities in America to largely regulate the food delivery industry.

According to Bloomberg, the sweeping measures will require restaurants to give delivery workers access to restrooms. It will set a minimum payment per trip, ensure that carriers receive a full tip, and allow workers to set restrictions on their routes.

Apps will also be required to pay delivery companies at least once a week, offer payment options that do not require a bank account and will be prevented from charging workers to receive earnings.

The legislation covers nearly every aspect of the job, for example addressing an issue that was the subject of a $2.5 million settlement.

Delivery apps and courier services must disclose their bonus policies and ensure that workers receive advice at all times, according to Engadget.

The legislation also provides for payment of at least once a week to delivery workers, providing them with payment options that do not require the need for a bank account.

Food delivery services need to add a clause in contracts with restaurants that allows carriers to use restrooms if the courier is taking delivery.

One bill from the Department of Consumer Protection and Workers would require the completion of a study of food delivery workers and establish rules about the minimum payment required per trip.

A spokesperson for DoorDash said: "We recognize the unique challenges facing delivery workers in New York City and share the goal of identifying policies that will help Dashers and workers like them."

"We will continue to work with all stakeholders, including the city council, to identify ways to support all delivery workers in New York City without unintended consequences," he continued.

"These bills are logical steps to support the delivery workers who work hard every day for New Yorkers and restaurants," said Grubhub spokesman Grant Klinsmann.

Last month, a California court ruled that Measure 22, a measure approved by a majority vote last November, according to CBS.

Temporary job workers are exempted from the state labor law, unconstitutional. Proposition 22 proposed that employees of app-based food delivery and ride-sharing companies remain on contract, entitled to certain benefits and protections, such as minimum earnings.

And last August, Chicago filed lawsuits against DoorDash and Grubhub for allegedly using unfair business practices and deceiving customers. Both companies described the claims as "baseless".

Meanwhile, Uber, DoorDash, and Grubhub recently sued New York City over a bill that limits how much companies can charge restaurants. In July, DoorDash and Grubhub sued San Francisco after the city imposed a permanent 15 percent delivery fee cap.