Balinese OJOL Driver Complains of Uncertain THR, Works 12 Hours a Day
Polemics over the provision of the Hari Raya allowance (THR) for informal workers are being felt by online motorcycle taxi drivers in Bali. Berry, 25, an ojol driver in Denpasar, says that during his time working for the online transport platform he has never received THR like formal workers do. ‘During Hari Raya we usually only get bonuses from the app, not THR,’ Berry said when approached in Renon, on Saturday (7 March).
Berry has been dependent on the online transport app for around two years. Each day he travels around Denpasar to tourist areas to pick up passengers or food orders.
According to Berry, the bonuses given by the company are not consistent. Bonuses are usually only given to drivers who meet targets, such as number of orders or performance levels on the app.
‘If orders are slow, it's hard to get a bonus. So not all drivers can receive it,’ he said.
Status as a partner at the app company also means drivers do not have the same rights as formal workers. They do not have fixed salaries, job security, or obligation on the company to provide THR.
Nevertheless, many drivers stay because finding other work is difficult.
‘Working here is flexible, but we bear the risk ourselves. If we are sick there is no pay, if the scooter breaks down we must pay out of pocket,’ he said.
Besides THR, Berry also highlights the app system, which he says is not always transparent. From tariff changes, order distribution to deductions from the company which can be quite large.
‘Tariffs change sometimes without us knowing. Orders are not evenly distributed. Some people get many, others wait long.’
In a day, Berry says he can work up to 10 to 12 hours to chase income. If orders are busy, he can take home around Rp200,000 to Rp300,000 per day. But when orders are sparse, his earnings can fall to around Rp100,000, before deducting fuel costs.
Amid the polemic, the THR and Hari Raya Aid Post (BHR) opening by LBH Bali and Aliansi Hak Pekerja Sejahtera has drawn attention from the online motorcycle taxi drivers. That post was opened to receive reports from workers who did not receive THR or had issues related to Hari Raya aid. Complaints can also be submitted online via a provided form.
Berry hopes the post can be a place for drivers to voice their concerns about their working conditions.
‘If there is a place to complain, that’s good. I hope someone really pays attention to drivers' conditions,’ he said.
He also hopes in the future there will be clarity regarding drivers’ rights, including THR.
‘If possible we should be treated like other workers. At the very least there should be certainty about our rights.’
(dpw/dpw)