Brazilian Lawmaker Calls for Regulation of Digital Platforms

Rep. Ricardo Abrão (PSDB) said the Brazilian Congress must regulate digital platforms such as Uber, iFood, and Airbnb to protect workers.

This push for legislative action follows growing concerns that the current gig economy model lacks basic labor protections. Without formal regulation, millions of workers operating via apps remain without guaranteed fair work conditions, or social security safety nets.

Abrão said the legislature must address the gap between digital innovation and labor rights. He said the current lack of a legal framework leaves workers vulnerable to the shifting policies of private companies. The lawmaker said the government must ensure a balance between the flexibility of the digital market and the dignity of the workforce.

Recent studies have indicated that these digital apps continue to operate without providing fair work guarantees in Brazil ^[2]. This lack of oversight has led to calls for a standardized set of rules that would apply to all platform-based services, regardless of whether they provide transportation, food delivery, or lodging.

Legislative efforts would aim to define the legal relationship between the platform and the service provider. By establishing clear rules, the Congress could potentially implement minimum earnings standards, and health protections for those in the gig economy.

Digital platforms have historically resisted such regulations, arguing that strict labor laws would destroy the flexibility that attracts both users and workers. However, Abrão said the necessity for regulation persists to prevent the systemic exploitation of laborers in the digital age ^[1].