Speaking to Lusa this morning, the recently elected president of the association, Vítor Soares, stated that the protest has already “brought together many” drivers and partners in Amoreiras, in Lisbon, in front of Uber's headquarters, from where they left to travel to Avenida da Liberdade, and will remain there for around 24 hours, until Saturday morning.

Vítor Soares explained that the association provided institutional support to the demonstration, which is also taking place at least in the cities of Faro and Coimbra, as “it is in solidarity with the problems of these professionals and the dissatisfaction experienced in the sector”.

“It’s getting a great response. There are probably already more than 400 cars and I believe that more will arrive during the day at Avenida da Liberdade”, said Vítor Soares.

The protest promoters said that in other places where partners and drivers came together, participation “is also significant”.

In Faro, the protest at the airport is expected to end at 2:00 pm.

Among the reasons for the protest is the value of travel, which is “on the threshold of companies' profitability”.

“This is also why we received reports of drivers who cannot stop 24 hours a day due to economic difficulties. It is impossible for them to stop for the entire day, as the sustainability of companies and families is at risk,” he explained.

According to Vítor Soares, the cost of TVDE activity has been “rising systematically over the last five years”, including the “exorbitant prices” of insurance. The situation means that drivers are “forced to work seven days a week, normally more than 12 hours a day”.

The protesters are asking for payment of a minimum of 0.70 cents per kilometer for each trip, in addition to also wanting payment of 50% of the kilometer of the journey until the customer is picked up, so that there is compensation for the driver.