TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer, or Noel, met online drivers who held a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Manpower office in Jakarta on Monday, February 17, 2025. Noel briefly rode in a command car and expressed his support for the demands of online motorcycle taxi drivers (ojol), online taxis (taksol), and couriers.
One of the demands of the protesting drivers is for the Ministry of Manpower to encourage the provision of religious holiday allowance (THR) from online transportation service providers. Noel regarded these demands as reasonable. "We believe, as the state, that these demands are logical and reasonable," said Noel from atop the command car.
Noel stated that the government supports the demand for religious holiday allowances. "So, we, as a country or government, hope that these app providers will give them the rights that they demand," he said.
According to Noel, the demands of online drivers are not excessive. "They are not asking for director-level salaries. They are not asking for shares. They are only asking for their rights while on the road. And the numbers are reasonable for us as the government," he said.
He claimed that the Ministry of Manpower will reconsider regulations regarding religious holiday allowances provision. Currently, based on Minister of Manpower Regulation Number 6 of 2016, only workers with at least a PKWTT are required to receive THR. Online drivers are not considered eligible for THR because they are partnered with the applying company.
He did not specify when the ministry would be able to update the regulation. "As soon as possible, after Eid, we are currently formulating and also examining the matters," he said.
In addition to demanding THR from the app providers, today's rally by online drivers also protested the partnership working system that has long regulated the relationship between drivers and app providers. According to the drivers, the system tends to work against them by not providing clarity on wages, benefits, and other worker rights.
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