Survey Reveals Most Ride-Hailing Drivers Prefer Partner Status Over Employment

The employment status of online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers remains a subject of ongoing debate. While some advocate for transitioning drivers into formal employees, many argue that the partnership model remains the best option.

According to research conducted by the Paramadina Public Policy Institute and Indef, the majority of surveyed drivers prefer to remain as partners, accounting for 65% of the total. Conversely, approximately 33% of respondents expressed a preference for becoming permanent employees.

Most drivers who opted for the partner status cited flexible working hours (59%) as their primary reason. Additionally, 31% stated that their earnings remain higher than the regional minimum wage (UMR) as a reason to remain partners. A small minority cited a lack of alternative employment (5%) and the availability of social security/insurance (4%) as factors for staying in the partnership model.

The study also noted potential negative consequences of converting drivers into employees, including the risk of increased unemployment. This is because application companies would be required to meet formal labour obligations, such as salaries, insurance, and pensions. It is assessed that applicators may be unable to extend these benefits to all currently active drivers, potentially leading to a reduction in the total number of drivers.

Further impacts include rising service prices driven by a decrease in driver supply, which could subsequently affect MSME (UMKM) product orders. Researchers also noted a ‘grey area’ in the working relationship between drivers and applicators; drivers often feel treated as employees due to being bound by rules and sanctions, yet the protections afforded to partners remain inadequate.

The survey was conducted among 1,000 ride-hailing drivers and 1,000 users between October 2025 and March 2026.