Digital food delivery platforms: working conditions and health risks

Abstract

The social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a process that was already underway: the platforming of the economy. One of the applications present in this process was for the distribution of food by motoboys, causing a radical transformation of working conditions that needs to be investigated. The objective of this research was to discuss these conditions and the risks that they represent for the health of the worker. A group of 14 food deliverers have been interviewed, their speeches were registered and transcribed for thematic analysis, obtaining two main results: the precariousness of working conditions and the health vulnerabilities. The platform promises independence and autonomy regarding work but, at the same time, creates insecurity, not guaranteeing any work protection nor stable financial subsistence, since it does not secures the means of work. On the other hand, this precariousness of work produces health risks. This situation needs a discussion on the legal protection of the rights and the health protection of these workers.