Opposition supports delivery workers' strike and presents proposals for the category.

Senate Agency - A A strike by app-based delivery services to demand improvements for motorcyclists and cyclists. A nationwide strike scheduled for this Wednesday (1) received the support of senators, who used the hashtags supporting the movement #ApoioBrequeDosAPPs and #GrevedosApps on their social media accounts. In addition to the expressions of solidarity, the strike motivated Senator Jaques Wagner (PT-BA) to present a project to improve the working conditions of the category, a proposal that joins others under analysis in the Senate on the subject.

Filed this Tuesday (30), the day before the strike, PL 3.570/2020 addresses some of the delivery workers' demands, such as increasing the value of deliveries and accident insurance.

The senator's intention is to create a law protecting workers in private individual transportation apps. The proposal includes the right to association, unionization, and cooperative formation, as well as the establishment of a minimum hourly wage, guaranteed health plans, food allowance, transportation allowance, unemployment insurance, life and personal accident insurance, and access to personal protective equipment (PPE). The bill also proposes granting unemployment insurance to these workers.

“We believe that addressing this matter is urgent. Many drivers, cyclists, and motorcyclists feel exploited. A national strike is planned for July 1st. We need to be attentive to these legal loopholes and, through intense negotiations, prevent these workers from remaining vulnerable during the pandemic,” the senator argues in the presentation of the bill. 

Veto 

The delivery workers' strike also comes at a time when the National Congress is awaiting a decision on President Jair Bolsonaro's veto of a law approved by the Senate that guaranteed higher pay for the category until October. 

This refers to Law 14.010 of 2020, which creates an emergency legal framework during the COVID-19 pandemic. An amendment proposed by Senator Fabiano Contarato (Rede-ES) and approved by deputies and senators provides for a reduction of at least 15% in the amount retained by companies driving for ride-hailing apps and taxi services.

The rule also applies to delivery services, including those delivered via mobile applications, for food, groceries, medicines, and similar items, such as iFood, Uber Eats, and Rappi, but the government vetoed this section arguing that the measure would violate free enterprise. Veto 20/2020 will be analyzed by members of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, who can decide to uphold or overturn it.

In presenting the amendment, Contarato clarified that the cost of this reduction cannot be passed on by companies to the end consumer. He also reminded that professionals such as app drivers are exposed daily to the risk of contamination, without having any labor rights, that is, they do not have vacations, thirteenth salary, paid leave, severance pay, health insurance or unemployment insurance.

Contarato is the author of another project that aims to improve the working conditions of app-based delivery drivers. PL 391 / 2020 It requires app-based delivery companies to provide certain insurance obligations for their delivery workers, another of the demands presented on this day of the strike, but one that has been recurring since the growth of this type of service in recent years. The coverage, according to the bill, should include medical, hospital, and dental expenses, cases of total or partial permanent disability, and accidental death. The senator was one of those who expressed support for the delivery workers this Wednesday (1):

"They deserve at least a minimum of recognition and dignity to continue working safely. We are together in this fight for more rights," the senator wrote on his Twitter account.

A bill seeking to benefit the other end of this system, restaurants and fast-food outlets, was presented by Senator Randolfe Rodrigues (Rede-AP). Bill 2.875/2020 reduces the fees charged by delivery apps to small restaurants, without increasing the price for the end consumer. Randolfe also used social media to defend the demands of delivery drivers.

"Today is the day to support the delivery app workers in our country! For better working conditions, for respect, for improvements and guaranteed wages! You have all our support," he wrote.

Standstill

In addition to the work stoppage, delivery drivers are asking users of delivery services not to order anything throughout Wednesday, in support of the movement. In some cities, physical demonstrations are planned as part of the "app strike," as the strike has been called online. Senator Paulo Paim (PT-RS) expressed his full support for the movement.

"App delivery drivers face precarious working conditions, a true modern-day slavery. Low pay, exhausting hours, and a perverse scoring system. My full support for the strike," Paim wrote.

Senator Weverton (PDT-MA) stated that the demands, such as meal vouchers, an increase in the minimum delivery value, the provision of personal protective equipment, and life, theft, and accident insurance, are all justified: "Turn off the app for 1 day," he recommended.

Paulo Rocha (PT-PA) highlighted that workers in express delivery services expose themselves to Covid-19 daily so that a large part of the population does not need to leave their homes. 

"That's why it's essential to support the cause, which is quite simple: just today, don't make any requests," wrote the senator from Pará.

Humberto Costa (PT-PE) was another who defended the demands of the delivery workers: 

"App delivery drivers face 12-hour workdays without labor rights, social security benefits, severance pay, notice period, or unemployment insurance," he pointed out. 

Rogério Carvalho (PT-SE) added: "Full support for the strike of app workers!"