Coronavirus pandemic
The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Elizabeth Warren urges Congress to enact more protections for ‘essential’ workers

The Massachusetts Democrat and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are unveiling a 10-part proposal that includes higher pay, safety protections and job security

By
April 13, 2020 at 6:00 a.m. EDT
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wants to make sure essential workers receive higher wages, safety equipment and other protections during the growing pandemic. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is urging Congress to enact extra protections for front-line workers — including medical, grocery, janitorial and child care providers — in its next coronavirus relief package.

Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) plan Monday to introduce a 10-point “bill of rights” that calls on lawmakers to go beyond the $2.2 trillion Cares Act to ensure higher wages, universal paid sick leave and job security for all employees — including independent contractors and gig workers — deemed essential during the public heath crisis.