Keeta, a delivery service linked to the Chinese company Meituan, has been the subject of a formal complaint filed with the Labor Public Ministry of São Paulo. The representation alleges that the platform's practices may increase the risks faced by motorcyclists while making deliveries.
This case was registered last Friday (31) by the delivery driver Elias Pereira Freitas da Silva Júnior, known as JR Freitas. The accusation centers on the fact that workers receive notifications indicating their speed is below the expected standard, in addition to being subject to incentive mechanisms linked to order completion time.
The document presented to the MPT also raises doubts about whether the system considers variables such as heavy traffic, rain, traffic lights, and road conditions before demanding performance from drivers. The request made to the MPT includes asking for preservation of platform data, an independent analysis of the algorithm, a review of speed alerts, and greater transparency regarding blocking and payment processes.
For its part, Keeta defends that it uses advanced technologies to ensure safe deliveries and emphasizes that protecting its partners is a company priority.
The complaint arose after motorcyclists approached JR Freitas to express their concerns about the platform's operation. The representative of the Movement of Workers Without Rights reported that workers fear suffering punishments or being blocked upon receiving performance alerts, especially when the delay is due to external factors.
According to the complainant, the way the platform operates can generate anxiety among motorcyclists, especially when displaying countdowns to accept orders and notifying that other professionals are available to take over that delivery. For him, this functionality can divert necessary attention from traffic.
Despite the criticism, Freitas observed that the entry of new competitors into the delivery sector has generated positive impacts for both consumers and workers. He mentioned the arrival of Keeta and 99Food alongside established companies like iFood and Rappi, which intensified competition in the market.
The representation sent to the Labor Public Ministry requires that the location records of the drivers, messages exchanged by the platform, remuneration criteria, and all information related to blocks be maintained. The request also covers protection against any retaliation directed at the workers involved in the investigation.
The MPT communicated that there is already an ongoing investigation into driver speed, motivated by road safety issues and the increase in fatalities in the city of São Paulo. However, the body has not yet issued a specific statement on the case involving Keeta.
In response to the allegations, Keeta stated that it employs proprietary technological systems and artificial intelligence-based tools to optimize routes, reduce waiting times, and increase delivery volume without overloading partner drivers.
The company also assured that the safety of motorcyclists is an operational priority. Since November of the previous year, the company has maintained in Brazil the program called 'Guaranteed Hours,' a policy that offers compensation to the customer if the order does not arrive within the stipulated time.
This operating model follows a strategic line similar to that used by the company in other markets where it operates, including China. There, the platform has consolidated itself as one of the largest food delivery operators and has been the target of criticism related to the high intensity of workers' routines.
The reports compiled in the document submitted to the MPT indicate that drivers in China face long working hours and rigorous demands for efficiency. Testimonies cited in the material describe professionals working between ten and twelve hours daily, striving to meet high delivery targets.
A team leader of Keeta drivers in China, cited in the document as an example of productivity, reported a routine of up to 12 hours daily, completing dozens of orders per shift. This professional also reportedly received internal recognition as a 'gold driver' for Meituan.
Additionally, the book 'Delivering in Beijing: Memoirs of a Worker' by Hu Anyan was referenced in the material as a record of the difficulties experienced by workers in the sector in the Asian country. The work deals with extensive shifts, limitations in social benefits, insufficient remuneration, and lack of proper rest.
The discussion about the conditions of Chinese drivers gained more prominence after reports of accidents and pressure for agility. According to the text presented, studies mentioned in the publication point to an increase in traffic accidents correlated with the required speed in motorcycle deliveries.
