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 nee...