“New Taskers are strongly encouraged to charge $18/hour for skilled work. After expenses, this is far below minimum wage.”
Magnolia Klee, TaskRabbit worker, Seattle
My name is Magnolia. I'm a gig worker on TaskRabbit. I support the PayUp policy and want to see action on it now.
I started doing gig work in 2020, after feeling unsafe and leaving my job in afterschool programs. I began cleaning homes, and now have my own business and clients, but still use TaskRabbit to fill the gaps. I rely on this app for steady work.
I want City Council to know that this isn't a side gig. I'm not doing this to save up for vacation or to buy a PS5. I'm doing this to pay rent, buy food, buy medicine — survive.
What I'm making doesn't give me the budget for much else, especially not enough to build up savings.
TaskRabbit controls the market rates by suggesting what you should charge for your work, and warning you if your rate is "too high." New “Taskers” are strongly encouraged to charge $18/hour for skilled work.
After expenses, this is far below minimum wage. Even before expenses, this is far below a living wage.
Because of the way TaskRabbit has driven pay in this industry down, workers are forced to get by on far less than what we need to pay rent and bills in Seattle. I’ve had to go to friends for emergency support. It feels terrible, and I’m incredibly lucky to have community who will lend or gift me hundreds or thousands of dollars to get through these periods.
I’m not able to save money while working these gigs. They don’t pay close to a living wage, especially considering that I have to pay for supplies, gas, and insurance myself.
We, the workers of Seattle, have very limited options for safe work.
These issues are life and death for many workers.
Companies have been taking advantage of the novelty of the gig economy and the lack of existing policies protecting gig workers. Meanwhile, we're stuck between a rock and a hard spot, faced with choosing between our health and our ability to pay rent. It's a very dark choice. The PayUp policy could help us survive.