On March 27, 2025, Grab Indonesia admitted it cannot fulfill the distribution of Bonus Hari Raya (BHR) to all ojek online (ojol) driver-partners. The Chief of Public Affairs at Grab Indonesia, Tirza Munusamy, emphasized that the BHR is not a routine annual benefit but an extra step and additional appreciation for driver-partners. "This is also in line with Grab's commitment to maintaining service quality for users and creating a fair and sustainable ecosystem for all driver-partners. However, if BHR is demanded to be given to all registered driver-partners, Grab stated it is unable to fulfill it," Tirza stated in an official statement on the same day.
Grab had previously disbursed BHR to nearly half a million drivers who met the criteria on March 24, 2025. This statement was made in response to demands from ojol drivers for the company to comply with President Prabowo's appeal regarding BHR distribution. Tirza explained that the distribution mechanism is based on the company's financial capabilities. "We understand various views that arise, but Grab strives to give the best according to the company's financial capacity," Tirza added.
Grab categorized BHR recipients into four levels: Mitra Jawara (top tier), Ksatria, Pejuang, and Anggota. Mitra Jawara, the highest category, receives between Rp255,000 to Rp850,000 for two-wheeled drivers and Rp480,000 to Rp1,600,000 for four-wheeled drivers. The second and third categories, Ksatria and Pejuang, receive BHR of Rp100,000 for both two-wheeled and four-wheeled drivers, while the lowest category, Anggota, receives a bonus of Rp50,000 for both types of drivers. Tirza clarified that driver-partners who have not received BHR do not meet the criteria, such as being less active or not reaching the required level of engagement.
Meanwhile, on the same day, some ojol drivers protested the amount of BHR they received, which was Rp50,000, deeming it too small. Vice Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer, also known as Noel, explained that drivers receiving Rp50,000 are part-time workers. "So, why do they receive Rp50,000? Because they are considered part-time workers," Noel stated when contacted on March 25, 2025. He clarified with application providers that drivers receiving Rp50,000 are in the lowest category based on their activity level and completed orders.
Notably, Noel mentioned that some ojol drivers receive BHR amounts exceeding Rp1 million, depending on their category and activity level. Online transportation service providers like Gojek, Grab, and Maxim have also distributed BHR to their driver-partners. Gojek distributed BHR from March 22 to March 24, Grab from March 23 to March 24, and Maxim from March 21 to March 24. Not all driver-partners received the bonus, as BHR distribution depends on criteria such as activity level, completed orders, and compliance with platform rules. The total funds spent by various platforms are estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of rupiah.
In response to the protests, the Indonesian Transportation Workers Union (SPAI) urged the government to mandate all ojol and courier service platforms to pay BHR to all drivers in accordance with regulations. SPAI expressed that the situation of ojol drivers receiving a bonus of Rp50,000 or outside the provisions of the Minister of Manpower's Circular is a form of public deception. "All platform companies have committed public deception by pretending to have provided THR Ojol or holiday bonuses according to government policy," stated SPAI Chairperson Lily Pujiati in a written statement.
Lily insisted that bonuses for all ojol and courier drivers must be paid without conditions to fulfill their rights. She criticized the small bonus received by ojol drivers, stating it is lower than the amount indicated by President Prabowo Subianto, which is Rp1 million. Furthermore, Lily pointed out that platforms like Gojek and Grab impose discriminatory conditions on drivers, complicating their eligibility with requirements related to workdays, order acceptance rates, and discriminatory rating values.
In a cabinet meeting on March 21, 2025, President Prabowo urged application owners such as Gojek, Grab, Shopee Food, Maxim, and others to provide additional bonuses of Rp1 million to drivers. Gojek responded to the protests regarding the BHR amount of Rp50,000, stating it is in accordance with the calculation scheme based on the division of five bonus recipient categories. Gojek's highest category, Mitra Juara Utama, receives BHR of Rp900,000 for two-wheeled drivers and Rp1.6 million for four-wheeled drivers, calculated from 20% of the average net income per month of drivers who meet the criteria for Mitra Juara Utama.
Gojek's Chief of Public Policy & Government Relations, Goto Ade Mulya, explained that the four categories outside Mitra Juara Utama (Mitra Juara, Mitra Unggulan, Mitra Andalan, and Mitra Harapan) are additional schemes based on the company's good faith. Ade clarified that the amounts for these categories are not calculated from 20% of drivers' average monthly net income. On March 25, 2025, SPAI reported the non-compliant bonuses to the THR Post at the Ministry of Manpower. Vice Minister Immanuel Ebenezer promised to follow up on the report and stated the ministry would summon application providers for clarification on these issues.
Immanuel emphasized that he does not want to disappoint the drivers who have high expectations regarding their bonuses. He mentioned that the reports made by SPAI are based on valid data and not just claims. "We will ask for clarification from the digital platforms about why some drivers receive large amounts while others only get Rp50,000," he stated. This clarification is seen as a standard procedure to gather various perspectives on the matter.
As this situation unfolds, it's clear that the distribution of BHR among ojol drivers is a contentious issue, reflecting broader concerns about worker rights and fair compensation in Indonesia's gig economy. The ongoing discussions and protests highlight the need for transparent policies and equitable treatment of all drivers, ensuring that their contributions are recognized and rewarded appropriately.
