Over 1,000 motorcycle taxi drivers held a strike in multiple Indonesian cities on Thursday to protest low wages, calling on the government for greater protection against what they describe as unfair practices by ride-sharing companies.
The drivers, identifiable by their distinctive green jackets, gathered outside the Communications Ministry and near the Jakarta offices of GoTo, Indonesia’s largest technology firm, as well as Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing and food delivery service.
Motorcycle taxis are a common sight throughout Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta, which is infamous for its severe traffic congestion. The protests led to some complaints on social media regarding delayed services.
A spokesperson for Gojek, GoTo’s ride-hailing unit, stated on Thursday that their operations continued as usual and that they were open to feedback from drivers.
Tirza Munusamy, head of public affairs for Grab’s Indonesian division, explained that the company’s tariffs are structured to maintain stable demand while considering drivers’ earnings. However, Grab did not respond when asked whether the strike impacted their operations.
Drivers are seeking an increase in the portion they receive per trip from the current 80% and are demanding that the government grant them special employment status to enhance their bargaining power over fees, according to Andi Kristiyanto, a representative from the National Online Taxi Coalition, which organized the protest.
One driver, Wandi, shared that despite working 10 hours daily, he often earns less than 150,000 rupiah (approximately 330 baht), which falls below Jakarta’s minimum wage of 5 million rupiah.
“We want the platforms to listen to us,” said Wandi, who provided only his first name.
GoTo and Grab provide ride-hailing, food delivery, and various other services across several Southeast Asian nations, boasting a combined market capitalization of around US$18 billion.
Since these companies classify drivers as partners, they are not legally obligated to implement minimum wages, provide social security insurance, or limit working hours, explained Nabiyla Risfa Izzati, a labor law lecturer at the University of Gadjah Mada.
“It is appropriate to urge the government to regulate these companies,” she stated, emphasizing the need for setting minimum and maximum fees for drivers across different sectors, including ride-hailing and food delivery.
The Indonesian Manpower Ministry did not promptly respond to requests for comment, while the Transport Ministry noted that it does not set fee regulations, urging ride-sharing platforms to heed drivers’ concerns.
