Thousands of delivery workers of applications held their first national strike on Wednesday (1st). The mobilization became known as “Breque dos apps” and denounced the precarious working conditions and overexploitation imposed by delivery companies such as IFood, Uber Eats and Rappi.

The protest has been organized for about a month, through social networks. The agenda of demands includes better working conditions, better pay and more security against covid-19. The background to this scenario of exploitation is the lack of labor relations and, consequently, of labor rights.

Mobilizations were registered in at least 13 capitals and in the Federal District. In São Paulo, a city that concentrates around 70,000 deliverers, the mobilization lasted seven hours, with acts in different parts of the city. The main groups met in front of the Regional Labor Court (TRT) and on Paulista Avenue.

Throughout the day, the protest received the support of part of the population. Amidst the horns, health professionals and soccer fans joined the act on Paulista Avenue and applauded the deliverers. The CSP-Conlutas also took support to the fight against precariousness.

A new strike date is already starting to be discussed, in case the delivery platforms do not meet the demands. Motorcyclists and cyclists hope to hold the second strike by July 12.

Essential, but without safety – Considered essential workers by Jair Bolsonaro’s government since the beginning of the pandemic, the deliverers saw their situation worsen with the advance of the coronavirus in Brazil. In addition to the companies knocking down the value of the deliveries, there is not enough supply of alcohol gel, masks and adequate places for the hygiene of the vehicles.

Since April, the Labor Prosecutor’s Office (MPT) has filed public civil actions against seven delivery applications, demanding security measures: iFood, Rappi, Uber Eats, Lalamove, Uber, Cabify and 99. However, the companies have been able to suspend the effects in Justice.

July Struggle Journey – The defence of life and the fight against precariousness must include the fight against the Bolsonaro attacks on workers. For this reason, the strength of the mobilization of the delivery workers must be added to the day of protests scheduled for 10, 11 and 12.