Platforms such as Uber, Didi or Cabify, a work alternative, but precarious

The labor alternative that the offer provided by the Transport Network Companies (Uber-Didi-Cabify platforms) has represented for many workers has attracted the attention of various sectors who, after an analysis, affirm that it is a precarious job that requires a deep analysis and discussion to improve the quality of this new form of work framed by the Law.

In the study “Millionaire platforms and precarious jobs. The Transport Network Companies in Mexico ”, presented by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) and International Transport Federation (ITF), highlights that, given the current circumstances of this type of workers and the prospects of expansion of companies, it is that it becomes relevant.

In this sense, it indicates that although companies from their inception sought profitability at the cost of the job insecurity of thousands of drivers, currently some governments worldwide have evaluated the negative impacts and are deciding to act in favor of drivers.

Part of the conclusions it presents is that one of the factors that drove the accelerated growth of ERT’s in Mexico was the use by these companies of a labor market characterized by informality and precariousness.

“Mexico compared to other countries in Latin America, drivers in general feel more dissatisfied or disappointed with respect to the reasons that initially made them start driving for a platform,” the report indicates.

Despite all of the above, and the fact that regulation is a challenge, there are local, state and federal jurisdictions worldwide that have achieved it. In the case of Mexico, although there are legislators from different political parties who have expressed interest in the issue, so far there is no regulation on labor matters, despite the fact that there are already regulations that impact these companies in fiscal and operational areas. , none of which benefit drivers in the country.

Some basic aspects should consider the initiatives in the matter of basic labor rights are social security, vacations, vacation bonus, Christmas bonus, seniority, compensation for unjustified dismissal, distribution of profits and overtime, in addition to the Infonavit, which will allow them to access unionization and achieve better conditions.

In this sense, Rodrigo García Reséndiz, author of the report, proposes that the initiatives being discussed consider the creation of a flexible contracting scheme, known as flexicurity, where the social security being discussed includes the recognition of rights for two groups of workers in a differentiated way.