“Biden administration issues rule that could curb 'gig' work, contracting”

… The U.S. Department of Labor on Tuesday issued a final rule that will force companies to treat some workers as employees rather than less expensive independent contractors…

The rule is widely expected to increase labor costs for businesses in industries that rely on contract labor or freelancers, such as trucking, manufacturing, healthcare and app-based "gig" services.

Most federal and state labor laws, such as those requiring a minimum wage and overtime pay, apply only to a company's employees…

It replaces a Trump administration regulation favored by business groups that said workers who own their own businesses or are free to work for competing companies can be treated as contractors.

The new rule adopts a standard that courts have used for years to determine the proper classification of workers…

Companies including Uber Technologies (UBER.N) and Lyft (LYFT.O)have expressed concerns about the rule but also have said they do not expect it to lead to their drivers being classified as employees.

Uber, Lyft and DoorDash (DASH.O), in separate statements said they did not expect the rule to change the way they do business.