Minister urges social security for online taxi drivers

Minister of Manpower Yassierli emphasized the importance of online taxi drivers in Indonesia registering with social security services, including those provided by the state workers' insurance provider BPJS Ketenagakerjaan.

“It is crucial to consider the unique characteristics of online taxi drivers and couriers when managing their social security membership,” he remarked after attending a discussion on the welfare of online taxi drivers in Jakarta on Thursday.

Yassierli noted that online taxi drivers, especially those operating motorcycles, are particularly vulnerable to road accidents and urgently require social security coverage.

He emphasized that without such protection, these drivers could be burdened with substantial medical costs in the event of an accident.

"This is the very matter the government is concerned about. President Prabowo Subianto genuinely cares about the welfare of workers, including online taxi drivers," the minister stated.

On the same occasion, President Director of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Anggoro Eko Cahyo highlighted that out of two million active online taxi drivers nationwide, only 250 thousand are registered with his office.

"This means that 1.7 million drivers are left without protection," he emphasized.

Bearing this in mind, Cahyo called on these taxi drivers to register with BPJS Ketenagakerjaan to ensure they have a safety net in case of work-related accidents.

He assured drivers that BPJS Ketenagakerjaan would provide financial support to those bedridden by accidents, helping them meet daily needs until they recovered and returned to work.

"This approach aims to financially support their family, ensuring their children can continue attending school," he explained.

Additionally, he underlined that his side would also offer Rp42 million (around US$2.5 thousand) in compensation funds to the families of those killed in work-related accidents.