The Government Is Considered Often Gives "Heaven Wind" To Ojol, KON: We Don't Need A Promise

Illustration (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The National Ojol Coalition (KON) assesses that the government often gives the wind of heaven to online motorcycle taxi drivers (ojol), ranging from providing pension guarantees to changing status to permanent workers.

Chairman of the Presidium KON Andi Kristianto asked the government not to politicize the existence of ojol.

"What we need to know is that ojol is not doing well. Many elite interests are taking advantage of ojol by dividing us into personal and group interests," Andi said in a statement to the media, Wednesday, May 14.

According to him, the issue of providing pension guarantees, so that the pressure to change status to workers often arises not from the original aspirations of the driver community, but is rolled out by certain groups for the sake of electoral imaging or interests.

Drivers, said Andi, are often used as a stage, but have never been involved in the decision-making process.

"We are not a political stage. We are not a narration property. Don't make ojol drivers a tool to gain support, increase votes, or strengthen bargaining positions in national politics," said Andi.

Andi stated that from the start the drivers realized that their work relationship was partnership, and not as formal workers.

However, so far, the partnership system has not been supported by adequate regulations, thus placing the driver in an uncertain position.

"We knew from the start, when we registered, our status was a partner. But what we regret is that until now there have been no rules that guarantee this partnership is fair and balanced. We don't want to be workers, but also don't want to continue to be harmed partners," he explained.

Andi assessed that the elite narrative about changing the working status of the driver is not a solution but a trap that has the potential to harm many parties, especially drivers who do not meet the formal working age criteria.

"If they are forced into a formal labor system, what will happen to the elderly drivers? Do they have to be eliminated? Will their families survive?" Andi continued.

Andi also mentioned public statements from state officials who were considered misleading and sparked confusion among drivers.

"We don't need empty promises. What we need is a consistent and responsible attitude. Don't make noise with baseless words. If words have been made in public spaces, then you should have the courage to be evaluated openly," he continued.

He also reminded the Ministry of Manpower not to force driver-partners to be included in the framework of industrial relations that are not in accordance with the practice of digital partnerships.

"We ask not to force us to become workers, unions, or anything that does not match our reality in the field. We are not part of the conventional work structure. We need a solution that is in accordance with the times, not a copy-paste of the old law," explained Andi.

Finally, ANdi conveyed a message that the government really wanted to help drivers, stop the political approach, and start drafting fair and fair regulations, by involving the driver community as the main subject.