Brazil government moves to regulate gig‑work using ILO Convention 193

The federal government will attempt again to regulate work performed through digital platforms, this time basing the effort on the International Labour Organization’s Convention 193. Minister of Labour Luiz Marinho has instructed a technical team to prepare a draft law for President Lula, pursuing two parallel tracks: ratifying the convention and restarting congressional debate on app‑based workers.

Convention 193 recommends specific standards to protect gig workers, such as expanded social‑security coverage, formalisation incentives, accident‑prevention measures and safeguards against violence and harassment. It sets minimum rights but does not require platforms to create formal employment contracts. The proposal follows a Supreme Court case, originated by a driver’s lawsuit against Uber, that was suspended by Justice Minister Edson Fachin for further impact analysis.

Earlier, a House report in April had proposed a minimum fare of R$ 8.50 per short‑distance trip and allowed hourly payment, but internal disagreements halted progress. Minister Guilherme Boulos later advocated a R$ 10 floor per ride and rejected the earlier text, preventing a consensus.