Central Java Governor pledges to back aspirations and push for online ride-hailing drivers’ welfare

Don’t worry. We will stand with our ojol colleagues. I will champion their aspirations,” said Governor Ahmad Luthfi as he received representatives of two- and four-wheeled online ride-hailing drivers in Semarang on Tuesday. He said online ride-hailing drivers play a major role in supporting mobility for the public, while also being an important part of the region’s economic drivers. Therefore, the government understood the various aspirations that had emerged, including fares, app deductions, social protection, and several policies that fall under central government authority. Moreover, the issues faced are not only in Central Java but also by online ride-hailing drivers across Indonesia. He said regulations relating to online ride-hailing drivers are still being discussed and many stakeholders need to be involved in those discussions, from labour, industry, MSMEs to the digital sector. “Co-ordination is quite complex, so it takes time,” he said. The central government also opened the possibility of amending the Traffic and Road Transport Act (UU LLAJ) by including provisions on online transport, so that it can provide a stronger legal basis. In the meeting, there was also discussion of plans for demonstrations by online ride-hailing drivers in Central Java and across Indonesia on Wednesday (20 May) tomorrow. Regarding this, the Central Java Governor advised that expressing opinions and aspirations in public should be conducted in an orderly manner and reminded that a conducive region is a crucial asset for development and investment confidence. “I am behind you, so please help keep the area conducive,” he said. Daniel Puratnya, representative of the Central Java Online Driver Association, said having a legal umbrella would bring better outcomes for ojol, especially regarding fare increases. “When there are regulations governing online drivers, there is no arbitrariness from the company or the app providers,” he said.