In 2022, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) published the survey Telework and work through digital platforms, conducted for the first time as part of the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (PNAD – Contínua).

Data collected in the fourth quarter of that year indicate that Brazil has a contingent of approximately 721,000 drivers and 589,000 delivery workers on digital platforms, who are subject to greater precariousness than non-platform workers in the same occupation.

The survey showed that drivers working for digital platforms had an average monthly income of around R$ 2,454.00, with an average of 47.9 hours worked per week. Workers in the same occupation who did not use platforms, despite having a slightly lower average monthly income of R$ 2,412.00, worked considerably fewer hours on average: 40.9 hours. This difference represents 17.1% more in the average hours worked by platform drivers, although only 1.7% more in average income.

Data on delivery workers for digital platforms indicated even greater precariousness. Their average monthly income in 2022 was R$ 1,784.00 for working weeks of 47.6 hours. When compared to non-platform delivery workers, the average difference in working hours was 4.8 hours more for platform delivery workers, but with an average income that corresponded to only 80.7% of that received by non-platform delivery workers.

Regarding the factors that determine working hours, 63.2% of platform drivers stated that incentives, bonuses, and fluctuations in the rates offered by platforms influence their working hours. On the other hand, 42.3% of respondents claimed that threats of blocking and punishment are also factors that influence their working hours.

The survey also found that 97.3% of drivers working for digital platforms stated that they had no power to determine the amount they receive for their work. Among delivery workers, this percentage was 84.3%. The lack of decision-making power is also evident in the choice of payment methods and customers to be served. In the latter case, 87.2% of app-based drivers feel they have no choice regarding which customers to serve. An equally high percentage of delivery workers (80.0%) and platform drivers (67.5%) stated that they do not determine the deadlines for completing their own work.

These aspects, related to the management of delivery workers and drivers by platforms, directly affect the organization of the working day and the time devoted to work, revealing the lack of autonomy these workers have over their own work activities.