Several Ride-Hailing Drivers Say They’re Disadvantaged by Partner Status, Here’s Why

A survey by Kompas Research and Development shows that the majority of 57.5% of online motorcycle taxi (ojol) drivers feel disadvantaged by the "partner" status implemented by app companies.

In the research team's findings, the so-called partnership system actually exposes ojol drivers to vulnerabilities as gig workers.

"With this partnership status, app companies often have greater control over their partners," wrote Kompas Research and Development researchers in their report on Saturday (14/2/2026).

Of the drivers who feel disadvantaged, 44.4% said that the rules and work systems implemented by app companies do not take drivers into account.

Then, the lack of social security is the reason for 22% of respondents. The guarantees referred to include health protection, employment protection, and legal assistance.

The next reason for feeling disadvantaged is not having a fixed income (12.6%); not being involved in changes to app company policies (9%); and being easily subject to account suspension or deactivation (5.4%).

There are also those who feel disadvantaged as partners because the fare deductions are too high and unfair (2.5%), the fares are very low (1.1%), and there are no working hour rules so they can work more than 8 hours (1.1%).

"The partnership status also needs to be strictly regulated so that ojol drivers and other gig workers remain protected and prosperous," wrote Kompas Research and Development researchers.

Kompas Research and Development conducted this survey on 482 online motorcycle taxi drivers from 17 provinces in Indonesia.

Data collection was carried out from January 19 to February 2, 2026 through telephone interviews. The survey's margin of error is +/- 4.46% and the confidence level is 95% under the condition of simple random sampling.