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Contracted Motorcyclists Will Start Receiving a 30% Hazard Pay from April in Brazil, but App Deliverers Are Excluded from the Rule.
Starting in April, workers who use motorcycles as their main tool will have a strengthened right under Brazilian law. Contracted motorcyclists and motorcycle delivery workers will be eligible to receive a hazard pay of 30% on their base salary, a financial compensation meant for activities considered dangerous. The measure officially recognizes the risks faced daily by professionals who spend a large part of their working hours in city traffic. Professional motorcyclists are among the workers most exposed to traffic accidents, especially in urban centers with heavy traffic.
The regulation reinforces rules already established in labor legislation and sets clearer criteria on when the use of a motorcycle qualifies as a dangerous activity, providing greater legal security for companies and workers.
How the Hazard Pay Works for Motorcycle Workers
The hazard pay amounts to 30% of the worker’s base salary, an amount that is added to the professional’s monthly remuneration.
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This means that if a motorcyclist has a base salary of R$ 2,000, for example, the additional pay adds R$ 600 to the monthly payment, raising the total remuneration to R$ 2,600 before other benefits.
This amount will also influence other labor rights, as the additional pay is included in the calculation of:
- paid vacation
- 13th salary
- FGTS
- contract termination payments
The recognition of hazard pay formalizes the everyday risks of the profession as an official component of remuneration, something that trade unions have been advocating for years.
Who Will Be Entitled to Hazard Pay
The new regulation mainly applies to workers employed under the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) who routinely use motorcycles during their work hours.
Among the professionals who may receive the additional pay are:
- motorcyclists from logistics companies
- motorcyclists from restaurants and retail
- maintenance technicians who use motorcycles for external service
- salespeople working in urban areas using motorcycles
In order for the benefit to apply, the motorcycle must be an essential part of the professional activity and used on public roads during working hours. This differentiates professional motorcyclists from workers who only use motorcycles occasionally.
Why App Deliverers Are Excluded from the Rule
Despite performing similar activities, app deliverers like iFood, Uber Eats, and Rappi generally will not automatically be entitled to hazard pay. The reason is legal. Most of these workers operate as self-employed or independent partners, without formal employment ties to the digital platforms.
Since hazard pay is a right established in traditional labor legislation, it only applies to workers with formal contracts. In practice, this creates a division within the delivery market itself.
While motorcyclists employed by companies can receive the additional pay, app deliverers remain outside of this labor protection, which has sparked discussions in Congress and in the courts.
The Real Risks Faced by Motorcyclists in Traffic
The recognition of the profession’s hazard did not happen by chance. Various studies on traffic safety show that motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable users of urban roads.
Professionals working with motorcycles face high-risk situations daily, such as heavy traffic, pressure to meet delivery deadlines, and long hours on the streets. Key risk factors include:
- collisions with cars and trucks
- falls caused by irregularities in the pavement
- exposure to rain and adverse weather conditions
- pressure for quick deliveries and movements
The motorcycle, which provides income for thousands of workers, also exposes these professionals to a significantly higher likelihood of accidents.
Therefore, hazard pay was incorporated into the legislation as a way to compensate for this constant exposure to risk.
The Impact of the New Rule on the Delivery and Logistics Sector
The implementation of hazard pay may also lead to economic changes in the urban delivery sector. Companies that employ motorcyclists will need to adjust their payrolls to include the additional pay. As this amount also impacts labor charges, operational costs are likely to increase.
In some cases, experts believe that the increased costs may be partially passed on to the prices of delivery or urban logistics services. On the other hand, trade unions and sector organizations argue that the additional pay represents a fair recognition of an essential profession for the urban economy.
Motorcyclists are responsible for transporting documents, food, goods, and equipment, connecting different sectors of the economy in major cities.
Debate on the Regulation of App Work Continues
The exclusion of app deliverers from the new rule intensifies a growing debate in Brazil and other countries: how to regulate work in the digital economy. Delivery platforms claim that the partnership model offers flexibility for workers to choose their hours and shifts.
On the other hand, labor law experts argue that the lack of an employment relationship prevents these professionals from accessing basic rights established in traditional legislation.
Proposed bills in discussion aim to create new forms of social protection for app workers, including accident insurance, pension, and labor benefits adapted to the digital model.
An Important Change for Those Who Work on Two Wheels
The implementation of hazard pay reinforces the acknowledgment of a reality experienced by thousands of Brazilian workers. Motorcyclists play an essential role in the functioning of modern cities, connecting consumers, businesses, and services in a rapidly growing delivery system.
By officially recognizing the risks of the activity, the law seeks to provide financial compensation for professionals who face urban traffic on two wheels daily.
Even with the evolution of the delivery sector and the growth of apps, the job of a motorcyclist continues to be one of the most exposed to dangers in urban environments — and now receives clearer recognition within Brazilian labor legislation.
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