TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Around 500,000 online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers are planning to shut down their apps and hold a large-scale demonstration on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, to protest operators they accuse of violating regulations.
Raden Igun Wicaksono, Chairperson of Garda Indonesia, apologized to Jakarta residents and the Jabodetabek area, stating, "Garda Indonesia, as the association of ojol drivers, expresses regret to the Jakarta public, as on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Jakarta will be swarmed by a joint demonstration of two-wheeled and four-wheeled online motorcycle taxi drivers as part of the massive demonstration and aspiration reunion for the 205 action," he told Antara on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
The protest, dubbed the "Grand Action 2025," is scheduled from 01:00 PM until the end, and will center around Merdeka Palace, the Ministry of Transportation, and the House of Representatives. The demonstration is expected to cause significant traffic congestion across Jakarta.
Drivers from East Java, Central Java, DI Yogyakarta, West Java, Lampung, South Sumatra, and Banten Raya will also join the protest, along with those from Medan, Palembang, Bandung, Semarang, Surakarta, Surabaya, Balikpapan, Makassar, Manado, and Ambon. The demonstration will involve hundreds of thousands of drivers, either directly participating or by turning off their apps.
Garda Indonesia hopes the government will address the dissatisfaction of drivers, who feel ignored by operators violating regulations.
Specifically, they’re protesting deductions exceeding the 20 percent cap set by Minister of Transportation Regulation No. 1001 of 2022. Drivers claim operators are taking up to 50 percent in deductions.
Minister of Transportation Gathers Operators
Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi held a meeting with digital transportation companies, such as Grab, Maxim, Goto, and inDrive, to address concerns over tariff deductions exceeding 20 percent, as reported by driver partners.
"Today, digital transportation businesses are here in the hopes that we can discuss the issues that are emerging within the community," said the Minister on Monday, May 19, 2025. The Ministry of Transportation aims for open communication with all parties to find balanced and comprehensive solutions.
Ministerial Regulation on Deductions
Minister of Transportation Regulation No. KP 1001/2022 sets a cap on deductions that can be charged by online motorcycle taxi and ride-hailing platforms.
According to the regulation, companies can charge up to 15 percent for app usage and up to 5 percent for driver welfare support, which includes safety insurance, service facilities, and operational costs.
Ojol Drivers’ Struggles
Lily Pujiati, Chairperson of the Indonesian Transportation Workers Union (SPAI), claims platform deductions can reach as high as 70 percent, leaving drivers with only Rp5,200 from a delivery where customers pay Rp18,000. "It’s clear that platforms profit by squeezing the sweat of ojol drivers," she said in a statement on May 15, 2025.
SPAI supports the demand for deductions to be capped at 10 percent, or eliminated altogether. The union also seeks clarity on fair and equivalent treatment for passengers, goods, and food deliveries.
Additionally, SPAI is pushing for the elimination of discriminatory programs, such as priority schemes and slot systems, that favor certain drivers. These schemes, including GrabBike Hemat and Gojek’s aceng, have led to inequality among ojol drivers.
SPAI has also urged the Ministry of Manpower to provide legal protection for ojol drivers to prevent platforms from acting arbitrarily. "We need protection so that platform companies do not exploit their drivers," said Lily.
Adil Al Hasan contributed to the writing of this article.
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