Platforms and the Challenges for Workers Digital Action: The Brazilian Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Marco Aurélio Santana
Volume : 78-3 (2023)
Abstract
In the era of Web 2.0, Brazilian delivery workers have utilized social media to organize and mobilize, demonstrating the potential and challenges of digital activism. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they initiated two national strikes, connecting a dispersed community via platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. This article examines social media posts qualitatively to understand how these digital tools influenced the collective action of Brazilian delivery workers.
Social media played a crucial role in fostering a sense of collective identity among delivery workers. It facilitated the creation and sharing of images, videos, testimonials, and life stories, shaping a distinct form of class expression and communication. However, it also exposed divisions within the movement, making consensus challenging. Additionally, it raised security concerns, allowing delivery platforms to monitor and target activists.
While social media spurred mobilization, its ability to sustain movements in the long term is limited. While effective during strikes, it hasn't become a lasting tactic. This study emphasizes that while digital technologies are vital for contemporary worker movements, they aren't universally applicable. Depending on context, they can either address or exacerbate existing issues.
Examining the political and ideological orientations of worker movements on social media is crucial. This article illuminates the nuanced dynamics of Brazilian delivery workers' digital activism, prompting reflection on social media's role in labor movements. Understanding the interplay between technology and collective action is essential in today's digitally integrated organizing landscape.
This article provides a detailed analysis of Brazilian worker movements and social media, highlighting challenges, successes, and the changing landscape of labor activism. Furthermore, delving deeper into Web 2.0's impact on Brazilian labor movements and the considerations for future mobilization efforts is encouraged for a comprehensive understanding.