Our economy and workforce is changing. Increasingly, we’re seeing more nontraditional workers — those who transition from employer to employer frequently and especially those who are not classified as “employees” at all, but as independent contractors. This new economy is an on-demand, gig economy.
Gig economy workers could work in the technology field or maybe they are drivers for companies like Lyft and Uber. These workers do not have access to benefits to help when they get hurt on the job, healthcare, or even retirement savings.
All workers deserve economic security. Iowa should focus on helping more Iowans improve their quality of life and standard of living. Senate File 2087 would do just that by providing a safety net for workers. The Department of Workforce Development would look into creating a portable benefits program for nontraditional workers and independent contractors, who are usually ineligible for health care and other employment-related benefits. The study will consider financing and administration and what types of benefits the program should provide.
In the wake of discussions about changes that would weaken the retirement security of Iowans with public pensions (such as IPERS), I’ve worked with State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald to start a program that actually finds a way for more Iowans to invest in a public-managed retirement savings program (Senate File 2088). We should look for every way to help Iowans invest in their own personal economic security today. By doing so, we also bring security to our state’s economic future.
With this legislation, we can attract and retain the quality workforce we need to make Iowa’s economic future as bright as possible. These bills help fix what Iowa business leaders say is the number one problem preventing them from expanding in Iowa: our state’s shortage of skilled workers.
By making sure more Iowans have access to retirement investment programs and other employment benefits regardless of the size of their employer or nature of their work, we make Iowa a desirable place for skilled workers planning for their futures.
STATE SEN. NATE BOULTON, D-Des Moines, represents District 16 in the Iowa Senate. The district includes east Des Moines and Pleasant Hill. He can be reached at nate.boulton@legis.iowa.gov or 281-3371.