UBERIZATION: THE PRECARIZATION OF INFORMAL WORK IN THE ERA OF INDUSTRY 4.0

Abstract

This article analyzes the impacts of uberization on labor relations, a phenomenon characteristic of Industry 4.0 which, although supported by the discourse of autonomy and flexibility, in practice imposes precarious conditions on workers. The research traces the historical evolution of labor relations from the Industrial Revolutions to the rise of digital platforms, highlighting how technological advancements have promoted the flexibilization and informalization of employment ties. Using a qualitative and exploratory approach, based on legal doctrine, academic articles, and national and international legislation, the study finds that uberization shifts the risks and costs of economic activity onto workers, weakening rights historically secured by Labor Law. It also examines the legal challenges involved in regulating this new labor dynamic, especially the lack of specific legislation in Brazil and the ongoing judicial debates over whether or not an employment relationship should be recognized in platform-mediated work.