Letter supported by iFood defends better working conditions for couriers – 06/19/2023 – Market

The Ethos Institute will launch this Tuesday (20th), in Rio de Janeiro, a commitment letter in which it defends decent work on digital platforms. The text already has support from iFood.

The document begins by mentioning that changes in labor relations and the growth of platforms have transformed companies in the segment into drivers of new social arrangements and income generation.

“It is essential to build guidelines for these new business models based on a vision of promoting decent work (a concept enshrined by the ILO in 1999) adapted to the context of digital platforms, which include and socially protect independent workers”, says the letter, early for the Sheet.

In 1999, the ILO (International Labor Organization) formalized the concept of decent work, to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. It encompasses respect for labor rights (such as freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining and the elimination of forced or child labor, for example).

“We want to call on companies, because only with a broad, strong and joint action will we be able to succeed in facing the injustices and inequalities in the country”, says Caio Magri, CEO of the Ethos Institute.

“The charter has five central pillars that guide business commitments, such as dialogue with male and female workers, on income and working hours, encouragement of forms of access to Social Security and health plans and the promotion of policies that improve conditions of using the platforms”, says Magri.

According to the PNAD (National Household Sample Survey) Continuous, by IBGE, the number of self-employed workers has grown significantly in recent years, currently reaching more than 25 million people, which corresponds to 28% of the total workforce occupied in Brazil.

In the letter, the entity reinforces the importance of dialogue with self-employed workers and their representatives on working conditions.

It also defends working conditions with fair incomes. “Fair income is one in which independent workers have an equitable income, which guarantees personal development, social integration and quality of life.”

The text also recalls the importance of developing policies that guarantee parity between those involved and transparency about how digital platforms work. This transparency includes examples of exclusion or blocking criteria for collaborators.

The letter also mentions the need to maintain a communication channel between companies, couriers and the consumer.

Among the measures, the entity talks about “developing a specific channel that works as a kind of ‘Security Center’ for emergencies (robberies, accidents, assaults and others) and cases of violation of rights (discrimination, prejudice and others).”

The letter already has support from iFood, and two company executives will participate in a debate on the subject at the event, which will take place this Tuesday, from 9:00 am to 6:40 pm, at the Hotel Prodigy (av. Almirante Silvio de Noronha, 365, downtown, Rio of January).

“iFood is aware of the impact it generates on society and we recognize our advances in the collective construction of better working conditions for delivery men and women, as well as for establishments. But there is still work to be done and, therefore, we want to be pioneers in this field. debate and these actions in favor of decent work”, says Johnny Borges, executive of iFood’s Social Impact area.