Seattle has granted permanent sick and safe leave for gig workers.

These benefits have been in place since 2020, but were set to expire on April 30, 2023. The new benefits(Opens in a new window)—known collectively as Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance (PSST)—are now permanent. They passed this week in a unanimous vote by the City Council.

With these protections, gig workers can "accrue paid leave to care for themselves or a family member's health, go to doctor's appointments, recover at home without losing a day's pay, take care of their children in the event of a school closure, etc.," the City Council says.

This move also expands coverage to more workers—not just the food delivery drivers specified by pandemic-era rules. "We want to ensure everyone has the time to get well, recover, and help members of their family when they're ill—whether you deliver dinner, drop off laundry, or provide any service on these apps," says Councilmember Teresa Mosquedda, the bill's sponsor.

The bill applies to companies with 250 or more app-based workers worldwide. Affected firms are required to create accessible systems for checking and requesting PSST; workers accrue one day of sick leave (based on average daily compensation) for every 30 days worked, which must include stops in Seattle.

The new law goes into effect for food delivery companies on May 1, 2023, and for other app-based workers covered in the legislation starting on Jan. 13, 2024.

"A healthy workforce leads to a healthy community, and no one should have to choose between taking a sick day to care for themselves—or their families—and making rent," Mayor Bruce Harrell said in a statement. "Gig workers stepped up to serve our city during the pandemic and are an essential part of our workforce and economy, and this important legislation ensures the rights of our app-based workers remain protected."