The Rise of Gig Worker Activism in Indonesia: A Call for Change
On August 29, 2024, Jakarta, Indonesia’s bustling capital, became a focal point for labor activism as thousands of motorcycle taxi gig workers took to the streets. Clad in green jackets and helmets, they gathered around the Presidential Palace and the headquarters of Grab and GoJek, demanding better working conditions and legal protections. This protest was not an isolated incident but part of a growing movement among gig workers in Indonesia, who are increasingly organizing to voice their concerns and push for policy changes.
A New Era of Labor Activism
The August protests highlighted a significant shift in the gig economy landscape in Indonesia. Traditionally marginalized and excluded from formal labor movements, gig workers are now finding their voice. "Gig workers need to have social security, health insurance, and especially, accident insurance," stated Prihanani*, vice president for foreign affairs with the national trade union center Konfederasi Serikat Pekerja Indonesia (KSPI). She emphasized the need for government regulations that recognize platform workers as employees, obliging operators to provide essential benefits.
While many gig workers are joining KSPI, a significant number are gravitating toward informal associations like Garda, which represents ojek (motorbike taxi) drivers and was a key organizer of the August protest. "We want the government to determine a fair price or tariff for online motorcycle taxis," said Igun Wicaksono, chairperson of Garda, which boasts 400,000 members. This growing solidarity among gig workers signifies a shift toward collective action and advocacy.
The Gig Economy Landscape
Indonesia is home to at least four million gig workers, engaged in various tasks mediated by platforms like Grab and GoJek. These workers, who drive cars and motorbikes, deliver food and packages, and perform countless other tasks, are increasingly unwilling to accept declining pay and precarious working conditions. Instead, they are forming some of the most innovative and organized labor associations globally.
Suci Lestari Yuana, a lecturer and researcher at Universitas Gadjah Mada, remarked, "The mobilization in Indonesia is quite unique. It has the potential to show a different kind of labor organizing model for the gig economy." The August protests were organized by a network of driver associations, with other groups like the Indonesian Transport Workers Union (SPAI) also planning strikes throughout the year.
From Informal to Digital: The Evolution of Gig Work
Informal gig work has existed in Indonesia long before the advent of smartphones. Ojek drivers have historically played a crucial role in the transportation system, especially in urban areas like Jakarta and Surabaya. Traditionally, fares were negotiated directly between drivers and riders, with drivers self-organizing to control access to high-demand areas.
The launch of GoJek’s app in 2015 revolutionized this landscape, introducing an algorithm-driven model that transformed the relationship between drivers and passengers. Initially, drivers welcomed the opportunity for more rides and incentives. However, as competition intensified and platforms began to take larger cuts, many drivers found their earnings dwindling. Nuryani*, a 48-year-old driver, recalls earning 300,000 IDR (approximately US$19) per day when she started, but now struggles to make even 100,000 IDR (US$7) for a 17-hour workday.
The Challenges of Organizing
Despite the growing awareness of their rights, gig workers in Indonesia face significant challenges in organizing. The country has a low unionization rate, and many platform workers are not members of formal trade unions. However, unions like SPAI are actively working to attract gig workers, recognizing that collective action is essential for improving conditions.
Lily Pujiati, chairperson of SPAI, emphasizes the importance of educating gig workers about the benefits of union membership. "It is impossible for individuals to go to the platform," she stated. SPAI, established in 2022, focuses on transportation workers and aims to provide welfare and safety for female gig workers, who often face additional vulnerabilities.
Historical Context and Future Prospects
The historical context of labor unions in Indonesia complicates the current landscape. Following the anti-communist purge of 1965, unions have been viewed with suspicion, limiting their political space and influence. Suci notes that this historical memory contributes to the challenges faced by platform worker unions today.
However, new forms of organizing are emerging, leveraging social media and chat apps to facilitate communication and collective decision-making. Groups like Garda and Koalisi Ojol Nasional are utilizing these tools to foster solidarity among workers.
Building Solidarity and Pushing for Change
Gig workers in Indonesia face immense challenges, including attempts by platforms to discourage collective action. Lily recounts how SPAI faced threats from platforms when organizing protests, highlighting the difficulties of uniting workers against corporate interests. Despite these obstacles, many gig workers, like Rusli, believe that union organizing is the key to better pay and working conditions.
"Drivers must unionize, and our status must be an employment relationship," Rusli asserts. SPAI aims to grow its membership and bargaining power, while Garda plans to take more aggressive actions, including potential national strikes, to demonstrate the importance of gig workers to the Indonesian economy.
Conclusion
The August 2024 protests in Jakarta mark a pivotal moment in the struggle for gig worker rights in Indonesia. As these workers continue to organize and advocate for better conditions, they are not only challenging the status quo but also paving the way for a new model of labor activism in the gig economy. The road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but the growing solidarity among gig workers signals a promising future for labor rights in Indonesia.
