This investigative feature video delves into the hidden pricing mechanisms within ride-hailing platforms in Indonesia. By examining discrepancies between what customers pay and what drivers receive, the film exposes opaque fee structures and raises critical questions about fairness and transparency in the gig economy.
The project combines real transaction data with in-depth interviews to illustrate the economic challenges faced by online ride-hailing drivers, also known as ojol. Filmed across various urban routes in Greater Jakarta, the documentary captures the everyday struggles of drivers who depend on these apps as their main source of income. It reveals how algorithmic systems and unregulated platform policies affect drivers’ livelihoods, often leaving them in precarious financial situations.
The investigative process involved gathering 720 order route data points from 20 drivers, offering a wide view of ride patterns and pricing inconsistencies. Additionally, the project sampled around 34 transactions of Gojek and 40 transactions of Grab to compare what customers paid versus what drivers received. This analysis uncovered notable disparities that pointed to hidden platform fees and opaque deductions. Combined with in-depth interviews with three drivers, the documentary provides both quantitative evidence and personal insight into the daily realities of platform-based labor.
One of the most critical findings of this investigation is the emergence of a new system known as “Slot”. Under this system, drivers can only accept orders in specific areas determined by a web-based algorithm. The compensation for these orders is drastically reduced—ranging from just IDR 6,000 to 8,000 per trip. Drivers who not join the slot system face a significant drop in order frequency, while those who do are often given double orders with illogical or unfair pricing. This mechanism effectively traps drivers in an exploitative cycle and highlights a deeper structural issue within the digital labor ecosystem.
This work was collaboratively published by Watchdoc Documentary on May 20th, 2025.
