[por] Analisa a categoria como critério organizativo central dos sindicatos no Brasil, expondo seus paradoxos e disfuncionalidades. Propõe uma reinterpretação do conceito em bases democráticas, de modo mais compatível com o conceito de cidadania.[eng] The article analyses the labor category as a central criterion of trade unions organization in Brazil, exposing its paradoxes and dysfunctional features that are still to be found in the present day in this country. In its final part, the paper proposes a reinterpretation of the "democratic basis" concept, linking it to notions such as labor union´s representability and legitimacy in order to bring such concepts closer to the concept of citizenship.