Work plataformization and algorithmic racism: racial capitalism in the era of digital plataform work

Abstract

In the context of capital's restructuring, the world of work has transformed significantly, including the platformization of work, a complex phenomenon involving economic, social, political, and technological interactions with diverse impacts. Faced with this scenario, the challenge is to recognize that, if on the one hand platforms already present themselves as undeniable work structures, we cannot mystify them by covering up the social processes involved. By clarifying, we see the exploitation and subordination of workers, particularly marginalized groups like black individuals and youth from the outskirts, by large corporations. The platformization process is anchored in the algorithmic operation, which, despite being presented as impartial or neutral, seeks to expand the tools of structural racism. This article aims to discuss how algorithmic racism operates on work platforms, highlighting the material and subjective impacts generated. To this end, it relates these aspects to the subordinate and dependent capitalism that is taking place in Brazil. In this analysis, they also propose to encourage a critique of the notion of entrepreneur, demonstrating how the logic of entrepreneurship obscures the capital x labor relationship. It is concluded that there is an evident relationship between the platformization of work and the colonial past. We highlight that the platformization of work has accelerated the weakening of labor relations and the denial of the centrality of work as a fundamental human element and essential to combating social inequality, making it urgent to address the issue.