“It’s going really well. There has never been such a big strike in Portugal as this one. I can give you an example: Uber’s price tripled on a trip from Almada to Lisbon Airport,” said Tiago Sousa.

Unmarked vehicle (TVDE) drivers from north to south of the country were mobilised for a national strike against the fare imposed by Uber during two periods of the day: between 7 am and 10 am and between 5 pm and 8 pm.

"What we are experiencing today is historic. Drivers are united and finally making their voices heard. Our goal is simple: compliance with Law 45/2018 and the defense of fair working conditions. Platforms cannot continue to act above the law and exploit the professionals who provide this essential service every day," said Tiago Sousa.

The leader of the Stop Uber movement, which is promoting the strike, explained that it is not possible to quantify how many drivers joined the protest, revealing, however, that the main goal “is that drivers do not lose income.”

“Drivers are working on the other platform. Bolt is in greater demand,” said the official, also noting that the two platforms [Uber and Bolt] “are not providing fair rides for drivers.”

However, according to Tiago Sousa, at this point, “Bolt has already increased the price twice this year and there are guarantees from the president [of the platform in Portugal] that it will increase it again.”

According to Tiago Sousa, the largest percentage of drivers' revenue comes from Uber, and the person in charge gave the example that, "in a trip costing 27/28 euros, the driver receives 13 euros and the customer continues to pay the high price" and the drivers "receive a small percentage of the value of the trip".

"Law 45, which states that platforms can only take 25% of the price of the trip, is not being complied with", he accused, stressing that the main objective of today's action is "to reach a parliamentary group or some entity that can regulate this situation" and, mainly, "to enforce the law".

The movement welcomes the fact that "there are already members of the Assembly of the Republic requesting additional information so that they can act politically on this matter", considering that this is "an important sign" that the drivers' struggle is beginning to be recognized in decision-making circles.

The Stop Uber movement advocates opening an investigation and audit process into Uber's billing practices, in addition to applying the sanctions provided for in Law No. 45/2018, if violations are confirmed.

It also calls for increased monitoring of electronic platforms, ensuring compliance with the law and promoting greater transparency in contracts and in the definition of commissions charged by platforms.