The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) announced that it passed a series of rules that give for-hire drivers for companies such as Uber and Lyft a minimum wage of $17.22 which is expected to raise compensation for 80,000 drivers by as much as $10,000 annually.The Uber and Lyft drivers choose when they will drive for-hire, what customers they will pick up depending on the location of their pick-up and destination, and are paid based upon the hours worked.

(a)Does the TLC view for-hire drivers for companies such as Uber and Lyft as employees or independent contractors?

(b)Explain how you determine whether an Uber driver is an employee or independent contractor.