NYS Senator Iwen Chu Advances Legislation to Protect Delivery Workers from Assault

NYS Senator Iwen Chu Advances Legislation to Protect Delivery Workers from Assault

20% of food delivery workers have reported being assaulted while on the job, Senator Chu leads legislation to ensure workers feel safe at work

(Brooklyn, New York) Today, Senator Chu announced the introduction of legislation to enhance the security of delivery workers and guarantee the dependability of the food delivery system. The legislation, S9924A, establishes the Class E felony of assault on a food delivery worker, comes in response to the increasing number of attacks faced by delivery workers across New York.

“Food delivery workers are a lifeline for many New Yorkers, delivering fresh meals to our families, days and nights. Our delivery workers should not have to fear for their lives while making sure our communities have access to food,” said Senator Chu. “Unfortunately, these workers, who often work late into the night and in dangerous conditions, are vulnerable to physical assaults, harassment, and theft. It’s time that we take serious action to ensure their safety.”

In NYC, platform-based food delivery orders have steadily increased since the 2010s with a surge in orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most recent data from NYC department of Consumer and Worker Protection suggests that NYC is home to approximately 61,000 food delivery gig workers. According to a recent study from the Journal of Urban Health, 66.9% of food delivery workers consider this their primary source of income, and 20.8% have reported being assaulted while on the job. A shocking incident occurred on June 20, 2024, when a delivery driver in Bensonhurst was brutally robbed while making a delivery.

The bill aims to categorize the assault of a food delivery person as a Class E felony, similar to recent protections for retail workers, reinforcing the message that the safety of these vital workers is a top priority.

“Delivery couriers are the backbone of our industry, often braving tough weather conditions and challenging environments to serve New Yorkers. Grubhub is committed to their well-being, and this legislation is an important step toward enhancing their safety," said Joshua Bocian, head of New York government affairs at Grubhub. “We commend Senator Chu for her leadership and tireless commitment to protecting couriers throughout the state.”

“Safety is always a top priority for DoorDash, and we support any effort to hold individuals who commit these kinds of egregious crimes against Dashers accountable,” said Kassandra Perez-Desir, DoorDash Head of Government Relations in New York. “No one should have to worry about threats to their safety while they are simply trying to make deliveries, and we are proud to work closely with law enforcement to make sure that Dashers feel safe and supported. We thank Senator Chu for these crucial efforts to help make sure justice is served and protect hardworking Dashers and food delivery workers like them.”

Paul Li, President of the Bay Parkway Merchants’ Association and a local small business owner, said, “Many Asian delivery workers have faced attacks and assaults while simply trying to earn a living. As small business owners, we rely on our delivery workers, and they certainly deserve safety on the job. I applaud Senator Chu’s effort in leading the legislation to make sure our workers are safe.”

"Come rain or shine, dawn or dusk, New York City's delivery workers are the lifeline that keeps our city connected, bringing essential supplies right to our doorsteps. Despite the daily challenges and risks they face, they deliver. The introduction of NY State Senate Bill 2023-S9924A marks a critical step forward. We proudly support this bill to safeguard our delivery workers and protect their well-being as they continue serving our communities," said Joel Feliciano, Chief Operating Officer, Yemeni American Merchants Association.