Brazil app delivery drivers protest work conditions

Thousands of food delivery, courier and transport service workers who rely on apps to provide their services went on a national strike in Brazil on Wednesday.

Drivers gathered with their motorcycle in cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Brasilia to protest and demand better work conditions.

With Brazil at the epicenter of the pandemic and the quarantine that put many people in lockdown, the demand for their services increased and has highlighted the inequalities.

27-year-old Marcelo Madalena, who has been working for apps for 2.5 years, said he feels exploited.

"Every morning I pray that I don't have an accident because if I have an accident, I'm screwed. If the client cancels, I'm also screwed," said Madalena.

The workers protesting point out they are the ones bringing food for people when most of the population have remained in quarantine, but their job hasn't been respected.

Among other things, they are asking to be compensated if they suffer an accident while working, greater safety and to receive a food card benefit that workers in other industries receive.

Lorran dos Santos, a 27-year-old delivery worker, participated in the demonstrations in Rio de Janeiro.

He hopes the demonstration could create awareness among the app companies, so they "do what they have to do, to preserve the delivery worker's life."