TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hundreds of online motorcycle taxis or online ojek drivers, including those from Grab, gathered in the Horse Statue area of Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon, May 20, 2025. They held a protest demanding that application providers reduce their commission cuts, which they deem excessively high. The protest began at 1:00 PM local time, with drivers voicing their demands from three command vehicles.
The drivers urged application companies to decrease the commission cut from 20 percent to 10 percent. According to a speaker addressing the crowd via megaphone, the current fee structure negatively impacts drivers' incomes nationwide.
Einstein Dialektika, Secretary General of the Indonesian Online Drivers Union (Sepoi), affirmed that the demand for a reduced application fee cut is necessary, as the current system is detrimental to drivers. He also called on the government to enact legal protections to safeguard motorcycle taxi workers from various vulnerabilities. "Many regulations make it difficult for motorcycle taxi drivers," Einstein stated at the protest site.
Echoing this sentiment, Lily Pujiati, Chairperson of the Indonesian Public Transport Workers Union (SPAI), claimed that several application providers have violated government regulations by deducting commissions exceeding 20 percent. She even alleged that some drivers have experienced cuts as high as 70 percent.
Meanwhile, Grab Indonesia rejected the demand to reduce the application fee from 20 percent to 10 percent. Grab asserted that the current fee structure aligns with operational calculations and is crucial for the continuity of its services.
Tirza Munusamy, Chief of Public Affairs at Grab Indonesia, explained that the 20 percent cut funds various services, from developing technological features in the application to providing 24-hour customer service. "When the cut is reduced to 10 percent, it will lead to the loss of several features that were previously available in the Grab application," Tirza said during a discussion in Pakubuwono on Monday night, May 19, 2025.
Tirza acknowledged that many parties are demanding a fee reduction. However, she urged all parties to consider these demands based on realistic calculations. She also refuted allegations that application providers are causing hardship for drivers due to cuts exceeding 20 percent.
"There are many technological features that support the application and its system, as well as feature development and operational costs. We also have a toll-free phone service through the application that doesn't require credit. All of this is covered by that fee cut," she elaborated.
Tirza also revealed that Grab Indonesia insures both passengers and drivers during journeys, covering safety and security while driving. According to her, the application system is also equipped with trip-monitoring features. "For example, if the vehicle suddenly stops, a notification will automatically appear to confirm whether it has arrived or not," she added.
According to Tirza, fulfilling the demand to reduce the cut to 10 percent is difficult because it could disrupt Grab's operational performance. "If there is a change in the commission percentage, Grab can no longer be the application that you all recognize as it is now," Tirza concluded.
Editor’s Choice: East Java Online Taxi Drivers Protest with Five Demands 'Not to Be Negotiated'
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
East Java Online Taxi Drivers Protest with Five Demands 'Not to Be Negotiated'
2 jam lalu
If online taxi drivers' demands are ignored, further protests involving even more participants will be staged for two to three consecutive days.
Today's Top 3 News: Grab, Gojek, and Maxim Online Taxi Drivers Will Shut Down Apps, A Closer Look at Adam Lambert's Net Worth
5 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Gojek Rejects Demand for Drivers' Permanent Status, Stresses Flexibility in Work
7 jam lalu
SPAI views the partner status as a strategy for the applications to avoid responsibility for the rights of drivers as regulated in the Labor Law.
House to Hold Hearing with Online Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Following Mass Protest
8 jam lalu
House highlighted that the absence of regulations for online motorcycle taxi drivers has made it difficult to accommodate their demands.
Transportation Minister Responds to Ojol Drivers' Demands to Lower Commission to 10 Percent
10 jam lalu
According to the Minister of Transportation, the aspirations of online motorcycle taxi (ojol) companies must be accommodated to ensure the sustainability of the online transportation ecosystem.
10 Ojol Unions Plan Rally at Transportation Ministry, Call for Nationwide App Shutdown
12 jam lalu
Ten driver unions of online ride-hailing or ojol companies will stage a rally at the Ministry of Transportation on Tuesday afternoon, 20 May.
Gojek Assures Business as Usual Despite Ojol Drivers' Planned Mass Protest
13 jam lalu
Customers can still use Gojek services as usual today, as ojol drivers plan mass offbid action.
Online Taxi Drivers to Stage Mass Protest Today; Palace Responds
13 jam lalu
Ojol drivers plan to stage a mass protest on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, starting at 1:00 p.m., raising several demands, including revenue sharing.
Online Taxi Drivers to Disable App Today, Here is Grab's Anticipation Step
17 jam lalu
Chief of Public Affairs Grab Indonesia, Tirza Munusamy, responds to the planned protest and application shutdown by online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers.
Here's Why Grab Refuses to Allow Online Taxi Drivers to Become Permanent Employees
18 jam lalu
An article discussing Grab Indonesia's disagreement over online motorcycle taxi (Ojol) drivers becoming permanent employees, and the reasons behind their stance.
