Brazil's Labor Court warns ride‑hailing drivers face high debt risk

A study released by Brazil's Superior Labor Court (TST) highlights the severe financial strain on ride‑hailing drivers. The report, based on data for more than 1.7 million platform workers, finds monthly expenses exceeding R$ 5,000 per driver, while many earn as little as R$ 300 per day after deductions. Drivers often work 10‑12 hours daily, totaling around 44.8 hours per week, and may face mandatory loan repayments of up to 30 % of their earnings through the platforms.

The research cites the case of 28‑year‑old Brasília driver Bárbara Sousa, who described having to “work a lot, 10 to 12 hours, to survive and pay debts.” She noted that unexpected vehicle repairs can quickly turn into credit‑card installments. TST president minister Luiz Philippe Vieira de Mello Filho warned that the rhetoric of “entrepreneurial freedom” masks exploitation, noting that platforms deny employment ties and shift costs and risks onto workers.

The TST analysis concludes that the current gig‑economy model reproduces traditional exploitative practices in a digital environment, calling for greater protection of platform labor.