ON THE PATH OF TRANSFORMATION

Analyzing the uberization of app-based driver work in São Luís – MA

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of digital platforms on the work environment in São Luís – MA, focusing on the analysis of activities carried out by drivers affiliated with the Uber and Pop 99 companies/platforms. The research aims to comprehend the underlying logic of platformized work, examining the essential characteristics of this employment modality and highlighting recent transformations in the labor market. Using direct observation and interviews with app-based drivers as the methodology, the study reveals that “uberization” is a reality driven by digital capitalism, reshaping labor dynamics, individualizing work, and undermining social cohesion. The findings point towards a more pronounced process of labor flexibilization, characterized by the absence of guarantees and social security.