“UBERIZATION” AND PRECARIOUSNESS OF LABOR RELATIONS

contemporary challenges for labor legal protection

Abstract

This study aims to understand the phenomenon of Uberization and its impact on the precarization of labor relations. Initially, labor relations are contextualized since the First Industrial Revolution, highlighting how their transformations over time have reconfigured the market and the lives of workers, who gradually gained rights aiming for greater balance in the employee-employer relationship. In this context, the concept of "Industry 4.0" emerges, resulting from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which drives Uberization — a form of work mediated by digital platforms. In a scenario of high unemployment, these platforms present themselves as an alternative for economic participation but lack adequate mechanisms for labor and social security protection, constituting a regulatory challenge. Regarding the methodology, the research adopted an analytical and deductive approach. As for the procedure, bibliographic and documentary research was conducted using solid databases (such as Google Scholar, Scielo, and CAPES Thesis and Dissertation Portal) in order to investigate and analyze academic works discussing the topic. It was found that, similar to experiences observed in European countries, Brazil is in the process of developing regulations to govern labor relations arising from the gig economy, aiming to mitigate precariousness and enhance workers' social security. However, even with some legislative advances, the path remains long for establishing effective legal protection and balanced conditions in work relations mediated by digital platforms.