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Ride-hailing drivers in Portugal have started a week-long protest, turning off their apps at peak hours to demand better pay and regulation. The protest could make calling an Uber or Bolt in cities like Lisbon and Porto more difficult.
How the Protest Works
Drivers plan to disconnect the Uber app from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., or Bolt during the same hours, while still working. Fernando Vilhais, general coordinator of the civic movement “Somos TVDE,” said the goal is to pressure platforms to listen to drivers and address their concerns.
Vilhais explained that Uber and Bolt often act as if they employ all TVDE drivers, which is legally incorrect. Platforms take a guaranteed 25% of trip fares, regardless of market prices, while drivers invest in vehicles and manage their own operations.
“The protest highlights the urgency of reviewing current legislation,” Vilhais said. “We hope reducing platform income for a week will show Uber and Bolt they cannot impose all the rules without consequences.”
Platform Responses
Uber said it respects the drivers’ right to protest and emphasized that drivers can choose when, where, and how to use the app. Bolt also expressed respect for the protest and said it maintains communication with fleet representatives to ensure all partners benefit from the platform.
Challenges in the Sector
TVDE drivers are reportedly leaving the sector due to seasonal work fluctuations and regulatory difficulties. Foreign drivers face extra challenges, as exams required for operation must be renewed every five years.
Currently, Portugal has just under 38,600 TVDE drivers. Most are Portuguese, with around 7,800 Brazilians, 4,325 Indians, 2,074 Pakistanis, just over 2,000 Bangladeshis, a few hundred Angolans and Cape Verdeans, and about 200 Italians.
