Jakarta. Thousands of online motorcycle taxi drivers (ojek) and couriers from the Greater Jakarta area are expected to stage a protest on Thursday, voicing their frustration with both app-based companies and government regulations they view as unfair.

The demonstrators are calling for a revision of Regulation No. 1/2012 by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, which dictates the tariff structure for online drivers and couriers in Indonesia. Their key demands include a reduction in the commission cuts, which currently range from 20 percent to 30 percent, and the legalization of their profession under Indonesian law.

As informal sector workers, ojek drivers typically lack formal contracts, job security, and social protections, fueling their dissatisfaction and prompting the protest.

Ride-hailing app operator Gojek said that it remains open to hearing the concerns of its driver-partners, particularly regarding fares.

"We are very open to the aspirations of our active driver-partners and always encourage them to express their concerns in a conducive and orderly manner. To date, active Gojek driver-partners have conveyed their aspirations through various formal communication channels that we provide," said Rosel Lavina, Gojek’s Head of Corporate Affairs in a statement on Wednesday.

Despite the planned protest, Gojek assured customers that services will continue to operate normally.

"Customers can keep using our services without disruption," Rosel added.

Rosel also urged driver-partners not to be swayed by provocations and to continue operating as usual. She emphasized that Gojek will take strict action against anyone who harms customers or driver-partners.

The demonstration is expected to cause significant traffic disruptions in several key areas, including roads leading to Istana Merdeka (Presidential Palace), the vicinity of the Gojek office in Petojo, Central Jakarta, and near the Grab office in Cilandak, South Jakarta. Motorists are advised to avoid these areas to minimize delays.

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