BE has scheduled a parliamentary debate this Thursday on the employment situation of couriers and drivers on digital platforms, as it considers it necessary to guarantee the rights of these workers, set tariffs and control the tax obligations of intermediaries.
“What we want to put before the government is the need to regulate this sector, listen to workers and guarantee more rights to those who work through digital platforms,” defended BE MP José Soeiro, speaking to journalists.
The motto of the current debate, planned by BE and taking place this Thursday in Parliament, is “many kilometers for little money: the rights of drivers and couriers on the platform.”
Previously, in the morning, the party will organize a public meeting in the Assembly of the Republic to listen to the couriers and drivers of these platforms, which will be attended by the coordinator of the bloc, Mariana Mortagua.
Deputy José Soeiro stressed that at stake are “about 100 thousand workers” who work through digital platforms, “in a very unregulated sector where they work long hours, 10, 12, 14 hours, for an income that is declining.” , by reducing per-kilometer charges.
The blocker warned that these workers are “highly exposed to occupational accidents” and, for example, “are not entitled to holiday”.
The parliamentary group will present a draft resolution, which does not have the force of law, which aims to recommend that the executive branch meet with these workers, as well as facilitate meetings between the platforms and representatives of drivers and couriers.
“Collective bargaining is also needed in this sector,” says José Soeiro.
For BE, it is necessary to “implement the law that was created in accordance with the Decent Work Agenda so that workers have labor rights that they do not have today,” and it is necessary to “review the tax and contribution obligations of platforms and intermediaries.” and it is necessary to “guarantee the rights of these workers, precisely by setting tariffs.”
Blockers will also recommend that the head of a company operating in Portugal must have a physical headquarters so that employees have somewhere to go when they have problems at work.
“Recently there have been two unprecedented and unlikely strikes by workers who cannot formally strike but have gone on strike and who have also used their contact platforms through Whatsapp groups to promote strikes, in some cases managing to clog apps and mix up algorithms. “, the deputy emphasized.
José Soeiro noted that this is a new reality in the world of work, “through digital platforms, algorithmic management of work that needs to be discussed and regulated.”
On March 11, European Union (EU) employment and social affairs ministers reached agreement on a new law to protect workers on digital platforms such as Uber drivers or Glovo couriers, with the goal of “improving working conditions.”
At the beginning of this year, the Office of the Conditions of Work (ACT) sent 861 applications to the prosecutor’s office regarding these workers to recognize the existence of an employment contract.
Labor changes introduced under the Decent Work Agenda, which came into force in May last year, began to provide a presumption of employment for digital platform workers, and the ACT has since launched inspection activities against digital platform courier brands such as Glovo ” or “Uber Eats.”
In November, the previous government’s Minister of Labor and Social Security, Ana Méndez Godinho, said in Parliament that 1,000 actions were being taken to recognize the employment contracts of digital platform workers with irregular employment status.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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