500,000 online drivers to switch off apps in nationwide protest in Indonesia

Indonesia's sprawling gig economy is heading for a major confrontation. On Tuesday, 20 May 2025, up to 500,000 online drivers—spanning both two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles—are expected to stage one of the largest coordinated demonstrations the country has seen from the ride-hailing sector.

The mass action, dubbed Aksi Akbar 205, will see drivers from cities across the archipelago—from Medan to Makassar—either switching off their apps or physically joining rallies in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, and beyond. Jakarta, in particular, is forecasted to bear the brunt of the protest, with traffic disruption anticipated near the Presidential Palace, the Ministry of Transportation, and the national parliament complex.

"Garda Indonesia as the association of ojol (online ride-hailing) drivers apologises to the people of Jakarta and the Greater Jakarta area, as on Tuesday 20 May 2025, the city will be flooded with combined two- and four-wheeled online drivers in a grand protest and reunion of the 205 movement," said Raden Igun Wicaksono, chairman of Garda Indonesia, in a public statement.

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The protest is rooted in longstanding frustrations over regulatory enforcement—or the lack thereof. Drivers argue that leading ride-hailing platforms have ignored government regulations limiting commission fees to 20%, instead deducting up to 50% of drivers' earnings in some cases. This, they claim, violates Kepmenhub KP No. 1001/2022, a transport ministry decree meant to protect driver income.

While gig work has become a backbone of urban transport in Indonesia, the drivers' status as "partners" rather than employees has left them with limited protection. This status has historically excluded them from entitlements such as minimum wage or bonuses—an issue that came to a head earlier this year.

Ahead of Eid 2025, President Prabowo Subianto intervened, ordering companies such as GoTo Group and Grab to provide holiday bonuses to drivers—a sharp turn from previous ambiguity. That directive came only after weeks of protest and mounting pressure.

But for many drivers, the bonus directive was too little, too late. Wicaksono said that drivers had exercised patience since 2022, but their concerns had continued to go unheard.

The 20 May demonstration will also see participation from several allied groups, including APOB, GOGRABBER, TEKAB, SAKOI, and GEPPAK—organisations that represent driver interests from Kalimantan to Java. Protesters are expected to converge on major transport hubs and government institutions, with Jakarta's streets likely to descend into chaos.

Authorities are monitoring the situation. "We'll assess the size of the crowds and gathering points to determine whether traffic management measures are needed," said AKBP Argo Wiyono from Jakarta's traffic directorate, adding that any traffic rerouting will be situational.

For everyday commuters, Tuesday's action could result in prolonged delays and reduced availability of ride-hailing services. Organisers have already issued public apologies for the anticipated disruption, urging road users to "adjust their travel times" accordingly.

But for the drivers involved, the disruption is not only strategic—it's symbolic. "This isn't just about commissions," said one Jakarta-based driver who asked not to be named. "It's about being seen, about reminding the companies and the government that we're not invisible."

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