March 26, 2025 | 04:20 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Minister of Manpower, Immanuel Ebenezer Gerungan, has revealed the rationale behind the Rp50,000 Eid al-Fitr bonus (BHR) provided by app-based ride-hailing companies for online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers. He stated that the explanation came directly from Grab and Gojek.
"We asked, why do they only get Rp 50,000? We contacted Gojek, we contacted Grab. They explained that there are different categories—1, 2, 3, 4, and 5," Immanuel said at the Ministry of Manpower office in Jakarta on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
According to the companies, drivers in categories 4 and 5 are classified as part-time partners. Immanuel clarified that those receiving the Rp50,000 BHR fall into the lowest category based on the app providers' internal criteria.
These drivers are considered to have lower productivity and working hours, making them ineligible for full-time benefits.
"They are not really full-time drivers; they only drive part-time," Immanuel explained.
He also emphasized that activity level is a key factor in determining BHR amounts. Many drivers receiving Rp50,000, he said, are not consistently active.
"Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. Some have only been active for three months in the past year. It wouldn’t be fair to those who work full-time," he added.
Immanuel urged partner drivers to understand the companies' perspective and not react negatively without considering the criteria used for BHR calculations. He reiterated that Eid aid from app providers is a matter of goodwill rather than a strict obligation.
He also claimed that many drivers received BHR exceeding Rp1 million from platforms such as Grab, Gojek, Maxim, and Indrive.
"The Rp50,000 consideration is based on that—these drivers are classified as part-timers. That’s the explanation from the digital platforms," he stated.
Drivers Protest Low Eid Bonus
Meanwhile, Chairwoman of the App-Based Drivers' Union (SPAI), Lily Pujiati, criticized the Rp50,000 BHR allocation, calling it discriminatory and disrespectful. She pointed out that some drivers earning between Rp93 million and Rp100 million per year still received the lowest bonus amount.
"In our view, this is discrimination and an insult to ojol drivers. The app providers are violating existing regulations," Lily stated on Tuesday.
As of March 24, 2025, SPAI had received 800 complaints from drivers who felt their rights were being ignored. Lily noted that 80 percent of those complaints were from drivers who only received Rp50,000 in Eid bonus.
Based on the annual earnings of Rp93-100 million, Lily calculated that drivers should receive around Rp1.7 million in BHR instead of Rp50,000. "We urge the government to monitor, advise, and push these app providers to provide a fair amount of BHR in cash according to regulations," she said.
She also criticized the distribution mechanism, arguing that all drivers work actively, but disparities in job allocation prevent fairness in earnings and benefits.
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