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Help Wanted: Cabbie pay based on job status

If a driver is an independent contractor, he

Photo credit: iStock | If a driver is an independent contractor, he isn’t protected by labor laws and would not have to be paid wages. But if he’s a taxi company employee, he must be paid -- and not charged for the gas, according to labor experts.

Carrie Mason-Draffen

Newsday columnist Carrie Mason Draffen Carrie Mason-Draffen

Mason-Draffen, a business reporter, writes a column about workplace issues.

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DEAR CARRIE: My grandson works for a taxi service and has to pay for everything. He pays for gas, he pays for the ignition key each day and he pays for damage to the car, including $300 once for a broken headlight. He is lucky if he comes home with $25. He depends on tips that people give him, but you'd be surprised how many customers skip out on paying for their trips, let alone leave a tip. The...

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