Indonesian gig drivers demand 10 percent cap on ride-hailing commissions

Thousands of Gojek and Grab drivers protest in Jakarta and Surabaya over rising costs and safety concerns.

Drivers working in ride-hailing and delivery services protest over compensation in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 20, 2025. Photo by Rosa Panggabean/Bloomberg

By Alana Salsabila and Clarisa Sendy

Thousands of ride-hailing and food delivery drivers took to the streets across Indonesia on Tuesday, demanding a 10 percent cap on ride-hailing commissions and an end to policies they say jeopardize their safety and income. The protests, involving drivers affiliated with platforms such as Gojek and Grab, were held in Jakarta and Surabaya, marking one of the largest mobilizations of Indonesia's gig workers in recent years.

In Jakarta, hundreds of drivers riding motorbikes rallied through the capital’s streets, waving flags and voicing their demands for government intervention. In Surabaya, the country’s second-largest city, thousands more marched toward the regional offices of Gojek and Grab before staging a sit-in protest in front of the East Java governor’s office. According to an AFP correspondent, the demonstration in Surabaya was peaceful but deeply emotional, with drivers holding banners mourning colleagues who had died in accidents on the job.

A protest driven by safety and survival

At the heart of the protest is the demand for a 10 percent cap on ride-hailing commissions, a dramatic reduction from the current 20 percent standard charged by both Gojek and Grab. For drivers like Raden Igun Wicaksono, chairman of the drivers’ union Garda Indonesia, this is not just about economics—it’s about survival.

"Many of our friends got into accidents on the road, died on the road because they have to chase their income," Wicaksono told AFP. "It’s about lives, not about business calculation."

The drivers argue that the current commission structure leaves them with too little to survive on, particularly once fuel, vehicle maintenance, and daily expenses are factored in. Motorbike and scooter drivers—who make up the bulk of Indonesia’s gig economy workforce—report earning up to 150,000 rupiah (about $10) a day. But after deducting commissions and costs, many take home significantly less, forcing them to work long, hazardous hours.

Gojek and Grab say commission reductions ‘not viable’

In response to the nationwide protests, Gojek and Grab both issued statements defending their commission policies. Gojek, whose parent company GoTo is one of Asia’s most valuable startups, maintained that its 20 percent commission complies with current regulations and is essential to maintaining the company’s operational sustainability.

“Reducing the commission to 10 percent is not a viable solution,” said Ade Mulya, head of public policy for GoTo. “The current 20 percent commission from customer trip fares is essential to fund initiatives that directly support the sustainability of the ecosystem and driver income.”

Grab Indonesia echoed similar concerns. Tirza Munusamy, the company’s head of public affairs, argued that any significant change to the commission model could affect not just service quality, but the long-term stability of Indonesia’s entire gig economy sector.

"If this commission structure were to be significantly reduced, the impact would go beyond service quality -- it would threaten the sustainability of an ecosystem that supports millions of people," she said. However, she added that Grab remained open to dialogue with stakeholders to ensure that its policies adapt to evolving needs.

Drivers also push to end discounted fares

Beyond commissions, the drivers also demanded an end to fare discounting policies, which they claim reduce their take-home earnings even further. While such promotions are often used by companies to increase customer usage and stay competitive, drivers argue that the financial burden of these discounts is unfairly passed down to them.

“We’re the ones who bear the cost of these promotions,” said a protester in Jakarta, who asked not to be named. “The apps attract more customers, but we earn less with every ride. That’s not sustainable.”

Union leaders have also called on lawmakers to convene a formal meeting with representatives from the driver community and the ride-hailing platforms. Their goal is to establish legally binding policies that ensure drivers receive fair compensation, work under safe conditions, and are protected against exploitation.

A growing gig economy under pressure

Indonesia’s ride-hailing industry is one of the largest in Southeast Asia, powered by tens of thousands of motorbike drivers crisscrossing the archipelago’s congested streets. These workers are the backbone of a booming on-demand economy, delivering not just passengers, but also food, groceries, medicine, and packages.

But the rapid growth of this sector has not been without controversy. As competition between platforms has intensified, drivers say that the pressure to meet performance metrics has increased—often at the expense of their health and safety.

Many drivers operate without formal employment status, meaning they lack benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, or retirement support. This makes them particularly vulnerable to exploitation, as they shoulder the costs of both business operations and personal risk.

Government response still uncertain

As of Tuesday evening, the Indonesian government had not issued a formal response to the protests. While previous attempts by driver associations to secure regulatory reforms have gained some media attention, the issue of app-based gig worker protections remains unresolved at the national level.

However, pressure is mounting. With the protests gaining traction across major urban centers, and union leaders hinting at future demonstrations, officials may be forced to engage in dialogue sooner rather than later.

"The government cannot remain silent while its citizens are dying to make ends meet," said Wicaksono of Garda Indonesia. "We need a fair system—one that recognizes drivers not just as numbers on an app, but as people with families, needs, and rights."

A moment of reckoning for Southeast Asia's tech giants

The protests mark a critical moment for tech platforms like Gojek and Grab, whose business models depend on a vast network of low-cost labor. While both companies have made efforts to support their driver partners through initiatives like training, bonuses, and accident insurance, critics argue these measures fall short of addressing structural inequalities.

As calls grow louder for fairer compensation and improved working conditions, the companies now face a choice: engage constructively with drivers and policymakers or risk losing public trust and workforce stability.

Either way, the message from Indonesia’s gig workers is clear—the time for change is now.