In the current version of a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package passed by the U.S. Senate, gig economy workers, such as drivers for Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER) and Lyft Inc. (NASDAQ: LYFT), will be eligible for unemployment benefits, including enhanced benefits for up to four months. The bill still needs to be approved by the House of Representatives, which is expected to vote on it Friday. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi praised the inclusion of independent workers in the aid package, noting that there are 1.3 million American Uber passenger and delivery drivers who are facing economic challenges, while still working to get food to people as many stay isolated trying to control the pandemic spread. Image source: Getty Images. Contractors or employees Khosrowshahi's support comes with the backdrop of the company's opposition to California contractor law AB-5, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2020. The law aims to classify gig workers such as ride-sharing drivers as employees, forcing companies like Uber and Lyft that rely on them, to provide full employee benefits such as healthcare. Uber and others are challenging AB-5 in a lawsuit. In a letter to President Trump this week, CNBC reported that the Uber CEO asked for aid for gig workers whose income has been hit by the coronavirus impacts. He also contended that there be a new way to classify workers, beyond just employee or contractor, "to remove the forced choice between flexibility and protection for millions of American workers." 10 stocks we like better than Uber TechnologiesWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Uber Technologies wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of March 18, 2020 Howard Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Source