The Fate of Gig Workers: Between Flexibility and Uncertainty

Exploited by Platforms?

No paid leave system (leave means not working but still receiving a salary).

No work, no income.

When drivers take a break or do not work, the algorithm penalizes them by reducing their orders.

This is deeply concerning.

Previously, gig drivers enjoyed a period of prosperity, but now they can only reminisce about it. Bonuses have shrunk and become harder to attain, while platform fees have increased, leaving many drivers struggling to make ends meet.

Some of the financial burdens faced by gig drivers include:

Daily electric motorcycle rental fee of IDR 50,000.

A 20% platform fee deduction.

A system that assigns two food delivery orders but pays only for one.

No access to social security (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan).

Orders determined entirely by algorithms.

Gig drivers are now suffocating under the pressure of the electric vehicle transition.

Ride-hailing platforms prioritize profit maximization without considering the well-being of existing drivers. "What we need is welfare and fairness," said Latifah, a female gig driver.

Many drivers are becoming increasingly frustrated as order volumes dwindle due to the tiered ranking system. Those in the lowest tier receive significantly fewer orders, and the only way to move up is by working longer hours and increasing productivity.

The gig economy has deviated from its original function. Initially, ride-hailing was meant to be a side job, but today, an increasing number of drivers rely on it as their primary source of income.

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Partnership or Exploitation?

Many gig drivers fail to recognize that:

The contractual relationship between platforms and drivers is not classified as an employment agreement because there is no fixed salary component.

The existing agreement is a partnership contract based on a revenue-sharing model.

Gig drivers are classified as gig workers.

In many countries, gig workers' employment status remains unregulated under labor laws due to the absence of a fixed wage component—this includes Indonesia and even the United Kingdom. Consequently, this ambiguous status leaves gig workers highly vulnerable, as they lack fundamental worker rights, including minimum wage protections and access to social security.

A labor study identifies three key sources of worker power:

1. Marketplace Power – the ability to influence pricing and demand.

2. Workplace Power – control over working conditions.

3. Associational Power – collective bargaining through unions or worker associations.

Unfortunately, gig drivers currently possess none of these powers.

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Gig Economy in Indonesia: A Primary Job, Not a Side Hustle

I take a slightly different stance. The gig economy, initially popularized by Uber in the United States, was designed as a side hustle.

HOWEVER, in Indonesia, since the emergence of Gojek, it has predominantly served as a primary job rather than supplementary income.

Why? There are two primary reasons:

1. Limited availability of formal employment opportunities.

2. Low barriers to entry.

A 26-year-old whose fixed-term contract (PKWT) is not renewed and who struggles to find employment due to age restrictions in job postings will likely turn to gig work as a livelihood.

Thus, equating the gig economy in Indonesia with that in Western countries is misleading. In those nations, gig work is largely considered supplementary or a financial buffer.

In contrast, in Indonesia, the gig economy serves as the primary income source for millions. The government must respond proactively.

I recently completed a research project on gig workers who rely on ride-hailing as their main occupation and the challenges they face when attempting to transition to other jobs.

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Was the Strike Successful?

Did the recent strike achieve its goals? That depends on perspective.

Some argue it was successful, while others disagree.

Did platforms like Gojek, Grab, and Maxim feel the impact? On a large scale, likely not—perhaps only 1% of operations were disrupted.

Gig workers remain in a precarious position, as they are not protected under labor laws. "Like cattle tied to a post, yet given no grass to eat."

From the Uber era to the rise of Gojek, Grab, and Maxim—even after their listing on the Nasdaq—there has been no substantial improvement in gig workers' welfare. The challenge of unity among gig workers further exacerbates the issue.

For full-time gig workers, this is the time to reassess. Seek more stable job opportunities that align with your skills. Young school graduates should experience firsthand what it means to navigate the capitalist system.

We cannot expect ride-hailing platforms to change. Instead, we must change ourselves.

May today bring extraordinary blessings for everyone. Life must go on.

As Azri Walter says: "Crush it until it’s completely broken."

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A Note for Recent Graduates

The gig economy does not guarantee stable income. Do not be misled by claims of earning IDR 3 million–6 million per month. It is an illusion.