Valuing Independent Work: Advocacy for U.S. Digital Freelancers
Freelancing has emerged as a cornerstone of today’s digital economy, offering millions of Americans the freedom to choose when, where, and how they work. From tech professionals and creative artists to consultants and content creators, freelancers are integral to the growth and innovation of countless industries. Yet, while their contributions are essential, their rights and protections remain woefully outdated and insufficient.
Too many freelancers face late payments, unreliable income, and a lack of access to critical benefits like healthcare, retirement savings, and legal protections. When conflicts arise—whether with clients, platforms, or companies—they often have little recourse. The current legal and economic framework simply hasn’t kept up with the realities of 21st-century work.
This disconnect leaves independent workers exposed, despite their critical role in driving innovation and sustaining economic momentum. Treating freelancers as second-class contributors undermines not only their well-being but also the stability of the broader workforce.
Congress must act to address this gap. Freelancers are not temporary labor—they are professionals, entrepreneurs, and creators of value.
We urge policymakers to:
Pass laws ensuring fair and prompt payment to freelancers and enforcing contract accountability;
Create flexible, portable benefits systems that support the health, retirement, and financial security of independent workers;
Develop accessible legal mechanisms to resolve disputes between freelancers and clients or platforms;
Officially recognize freelancers within labor, tax, and economic policies as a distinct and protected class of workers.
Freelancers deserve more than recognition—they deserve respect, stability, and inclusion. By advancing policy reforms that reflect the realities of independent work, Congress can help build a more equitable and resilient economy for all.
Too many freelancers face late payments, unreliable income, and a lack of access to critical benefits like healthcare, retirement savings, and legal protections. When conflicts arise—whether with clients, platforms, or companies—they often have little recourse. The current legal and economic framework simply hasn’t kept up with the realities of 21st-century work.
This disconnect leaves independent workers exposed, despite their critical role in driving innovation and sustaining economic momentum. Treating freelancers as second-class contributors undermines not only their well-being but also the stability of the broader workforce.
Congress must act to address this gap. Freelancers are not temporary labor—they are professionals, entrepreneurs, and creators of value.
We urge policymakers to:
Pass laws ensuring fair and prompt payment to freelancers and enforcing contract accountability;
Create flexible, portable benefits systems that support the health, retirement, and financial security of independent workers;
Develop accessible legal mechanisms to resolve disputes between freelancers and clients or platforms;
Officially recognize freelancers within labor, tax, and economic policies as a distinct and protected class of workers.
Freelancers deserve more than recognition—they deserve respect, stability, and inclusion. By advancing policy reforms that reflect the realities of independent work, Congress can help build a more equitable and resilient economy for all.
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