Demanding THR, Taxi Driver And Online Ojek Will Demo Today

Demonstrations of a number of online motorcycle taxi drivers and drivers in Jakarta (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Masses of online taxi drivers and motorcycle taxi drivers will hold a massive demonstration in front of the Ministry of Manpower (Kemenaker) Building on Monday, February 17. They demanded that the right to holiday allowances (THR) be given.

The head of the Indonesian Transport Workers Union (SPAI), Lily Pujiati, said that this action was scheduled to start at 10.00 WIB with an estimated mass of more than 700 people. During the action, they will off-bid or turn off the application en masse.

According to him, this demonstration will be attended by online transportation workers from various sectors, including online motorcycle taxi drivers, online taxis, and couriers from all over Indonesia who are members of the Ojol THR Demand Alliance.

"Our Alliance Demands THR Ojol to demand THR for online motorcycle taxi drivers, online taxis, and couriers by taking action in the Ministry of Manpower and in all cities in Indonesia through mass bid off actions," said Lily in her statement.

SPAI urges the Ministry of Manpower to immediately issue regulations regarding the provision of THR for platform workers, such as online motorcycle taxi drivers, online taxis, and couriers.

Lily explained that the THR demands refer to the Employment Act, which regulates that online transport drivers, including permanent workers, have met the elements of work, wages, and orders in employment.

"THR is the right for every online motorcycle taxi driver, online taxi, and courier because they are included in the work relationship between employers or platforms and workers. This includes elements of work, wages, and orders as regulated in Law Number 13 of 2003 concerning Manpower," explained Lily.

Lily emphasized that the Ministry of Manpower must immediately issue regulations regarding THR for online motorcycle taxi drivers in the near future. SPAI demands that the THR given is one month of the provincial minimum wage (UMP) and is paid no later than 30 days before the holiday or Eid.

"This rule is very important so that the THR for online motorcycle taxi drivers is no longer just a promise from the Ministry of Manpower like last year, which was only an appeal and incentive," he said.

In addition, this demonstration also highlighted the rejection of the company's status of partnership to drivers. According to Lily, the status of the partnership was only used as an excuse by the company to avoid obligations in paying THR and other rights for workers.

"In fact, online motorcycle taxi drivers have made a significant contribution to the economy. The platform business is very profitable for big profits, while the driver's welfare is sacrificed," he said.

Drivers also demand rights that are equivalent to other workers, such as obtaining minimum wages, overtime wages, menstrual leave and childbirth, and working hours a maximum of eight hours a day.

"Incentives provided by platform companies so far do not improve workers' welfare. On the contrary, the system actually forces drivers to continue to work without rest and exceed the stipulated working hours," he concluded.