ID ride-hailing drivers plan mass suspension, protest on May 20

Thousands of ride-hailing drivers in Indonesia, including motorcycle taxis (ojol), online taxis (taksol), and delivery couriers, plan a nationwide protest and mass service suspension on May 20, 2025.

Drivers will simultaneously deactivate their apps and stop operations, especially in Jakarta at Istana Merdeka, the Ministry of Transportation, and the House of Representatives (DPR).

They demand a maximum commission deduction of 10% or its removal, clearer fare structures, and the elimination of unfair priority schemes like GrabBike Hemat, Gojek’s “Aceng” program, and others.

SPAI is urging the Ministry of Manpower to provide legal protections and include their concerns in the Labor Law discussions.

Drivers from East Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, and Sumatra will join the protest in Jakarta.

Organizers warn of possible traffic disruptions and major interruptions to app-based services nationwide, with further actions planned if demands are not met.

🔗 Source: Katadata

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ The evolution of Indonesia’s ride-hailing industry reveals a pattern of declining driver economics

The current protests represent the continuation of long-standing tensions between drivers and platforms that began shortly after the industry’s explosive growth phase.

When Go-Jek launched its app in 2015, it transformed Indonesia’s transportation landscape by modernizing the informal ojek (motorcycle taxi) system that was plagued by 75% driver idle time 1.

However, initial optimism has given way to economic hardship, with drivers now reporting they receive as little as Rp 5,200 from an Rp 18,000 fare—a stark 70% commission that platforms retain 2.

This represents a significant shift from earlier models, as competition between platforms has intensified and investor pressure for profitability has grown over the years.

The average driver now works more than 76 hours weekly, often holding multiple jobs to meet financial obligations, yet many still earn below Jakarta’s minimum wage 3.

This deterioration in earnings has led to increasing organization among drivers, with associations like Garda now representing over 400,000 drivers who are pushing back against what they view as exploitative practices 2.