Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact Information
Cynthia Santana
Phone: 206-256-5219
Email: cynthia.santana@seattle.gov

 Seattle Office of Labor Standards Partners with Porsesh Policy Research Institute for App-Based Worker Research

Seattle, WA (October 27, 2026) - Following a competitive request for proposal process the Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) awards Porsesh Policy Research Institute (PORSESH) $129,795 in funding to conduct mixed methods research on app-based workers in Seattle. The research will provide a comparison of working conditions in this industry before and after the implementation of the City’s App-Based Worker Minimum Payment Ordinance, and to understand the impacts of the law.

“We are excited about this opportunity to collaborate with PORSESH, a community-based research organization, that has the expertise and capacity to gain an in-depth understanding of the gig economy and its impact on diverse worker groups. Through surveys, focus groups, interviews, and participant observation, PORSESH researchers will gather valuable insights from workers in their primary languages, ensuring that these perspectives are represented,” said OLS Director, Steven Marchese.

PORSESH will conduct this research in collaboration with Makari Consulting and Future Emergent. 

“App-based workers, particularly those from underserved and immigrant communities, make significant contributions to our economy, yet their experiences are often underrepresented in the data used to inform policymaking. At PORSESH POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (PORSESH), we believe effective policies must be grounded in community voices, lived experiences, and reliable data. Building on our longstanding community partnerships and research experience across Washington State, including South King County, we are honored to partner with the Seattle Office of Labor Standards to learn directly from app-based workers and generate evidence that informs grounded, responsive policies and services,” said PORSESH Executive Director, Ehsan Shayegan.

This research seeks to better understand:

• how “transparency” rights to access offer information and receipts impact workers’ app-based work experience;
• how workers spend uncompensated online time and how such behaviors may be influenced by different apps and business models;
• how app-based work fits into other needs and obligations in workers’ lives; and
• how pay structures and earnings have changed for workers on smaller network company platforms.

Seattle’s App-Based Worker Minimum Payment Ordinance became effective on January 13, 2024. The ordinance applies to certain app-based workers (sometimes referred to as gig workers) and provides for several rights and protections for covered workers. Key rights include minimum pay, transparency and flexibility.

To learn more about the app-based worker research funding please visit the App-Based Worker Research Consultant Partnership webpage. For more on OLS research go to the App-Based Worker Research webpage and to learn more about the app-based worker laws, please visit the App-Based Worker Ordinances webpage.

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