The action faces likely legal challenges, and some experts and politicians say it might never be implemented.
"Department of Labor and Workforce Development"
Self-employed and out of work? Apply for unemployment anyway, says Alaska Department of Labor.
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development is now asking self-employed, independent contractors and gig-economy workers to apply for regular unemployment benefits, even though they will likely be denied.
New unemployment benefits are here, but laid-off workers are having trouble applying
Even after new benefits were added to the federal unemployment insurance program, many Alaskans are still reporting difficulty accessing those benefits due to problems with the state’s application system.
Self-employed workers will have to wait at least a month for benefits, state labor official says
Self-employed workers or those working in the gig economy who lost work due to the coronavirus will have to wait at least four weeks before applying for benefits, Alaska’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development said.
State union expresses alarm over workers reporting to offices on Monday
State commissioners said the state can provide government services while also protecting workers.
Anchorage bar, restaurant closure throws thousands of workers into limbo
“Decisions were made politically that they had their reasons for. But for us, it was a complete blindside,” said Jack Lewis, who co-owns and runs seven different Anchorage area eating places. “Nobody really was prepared for it, or saw it coming.”