Tech Roundup: Brazilian delivery app workers rise up for better pay

You’re reading The Brazilian Report’s weekly tech roundup, a digest of the most important news on technology and innovation in Brazil. This week’s topics: the national delivery app workers strike, Brazil’s advances in 5G technology and WhatsApp’s cybersecurity concerns.

Brazilian app couriers strike for better work conditions

Work for delivery, courier, and transport app companies has become one of Brazil’s main drivers of job creation numbers in recent years — the number of workers in the sector is currently estimated to be 4 million people. However, the work conditions and pay are often appalling, and couriers are calling for a national strike on July 1. 

Why it matters. The pandemic has raised awareness about the conditions of these workers — who risk their lives on a daily basis to deliver food and other goods.

What they ask. While most of their demands are not new, such as higher pay per kilometer, insurance coverage, and the end of the “blacklisting” of workers who take part in protests. Companies are known to identify protestors and reduce the calls of workers who take part in demonstrations.

• Workers are also asking for personal protective equipment.
• Edgar da Silva, a union representative, says tech companies provided hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves … once. “We have already tried to negotiate resupply, but they either don’t want to talk or don’t get anything done. This has been going on for years, the pandemic only gave us visibility.”

App competition. While the pandemic has boosted the use of delivery services, the sharp rise in unemployment has also increased the number of delivery app workers —  meaning that each worker gets fewer calls than they used to. “Only the companies benefit. Couriers are earning less,” Mr. Santos told The Brazilian Report.

Less money, more problems. In order to make 20 deliveries in São Paulo, workers must ride for an average of...