FICA covers their Social Security and Medicare so the money directly goes back to the person. I have no issue with gig workers. The issue is all these companies who pretend that they are not the employers and dodge UI and Workers Compensation insurance and rip profits off the gig workers.
I wouldn't say they are ripping them off. Gig workers
voluntarily enter in to an agreement with the company to provide a service. It gives them flexibility to drive for several different companies. Many who drive for Lyft also drive for Uber, Grubhub, Instacart, etc. Make them an employee and the company can now dictate who they can or can't work for. Many gig workers like the flexibility of making their own hours and deciding how much or how little they want to earn. The gig worker really owns and operates their own business. Work hard and some of them can make a pretty good salary. Make them work for a single company and they may make minimum wage. If the 1099 worker doesn't like the arrangement, they can end it at any time.
Companies certainly have taken advantage of the 1099 system, but those are the laws on the books (except in CA now). Of course, everyone wants everything cheap. There is a reason Uber is cheaper than a taxi. Mandate that the companies pay certain taxes for the 1099 employee and they simply pass the costs on to the consumer. Not saying it is right or wrong, just how it is. Some may prefer taxis, but there certainly has also been abuse of the taxi medallion system over the years too.