GrabCar driver-partners have been conducting a series of protest since end of June, calling out Grab for the suspension of 220 driver-partners

Southeast Asian ride-hailing startup Grab responded to the series of protest conducted by the driver-partners of GrabCar, their car-based ride-hailing service, in Jakarta on June 27 and July 4.

In a press statement, Grab Indonesia Managing Director Ridzki Kramadibrata stated that representatives of both the company and GrabCar driver-partners had met on Monday (July 3), facilitated by the intelligent and security division of the metropolitan police department.

“It is fortunate that the July 4 demonstration continued to happen despite the mediation meeting on Monday … though we are fully aware that the driver-partners are are entitled to their rights to voice their opinion in accordance to the law,” Kramadibrata said.

He also stated that as a result of the mediation meeting, the involved parties have agreed to meet again on Monday, July 10.

“We hope that the July 10 meeting will be successful and able to solve the existing problem between Grab and the suspended driver-partners without the need for legal intervention,” Kramadibrata said.

He also stated that Grab has opened a hotline for both customers and driver-partners’ queries, and stressed the company’s commitment for “quality of services and safety” for customers and driver-partners.

Also Read: Jack Ma could join US$1.5 billion Grab funding round: Bloomberg

GrabCar driver-partners first began their protests on June 27, fresh out of two-day Idul Fitri celebration in the country, to call out the company for the suspension of 220 driver-partners who had allegedly used tricks to fake orders or increased their tariff.

There were six points that the driver-partners demanded from the company, but the main focus is the suspension and the money that Grab owed to them due to the suspension.

They also called for transparency from the company in setting up regulations for the driver-partners.

Aris Clowor, a representative of GrabCar driver-partners, told CNN Indonesia that there are actually 3,500 drivers in Greater Jakarta Area who had been suspended, though only 1,500 had reported to his community.

He also stated that the protest on July 4 would be attended by drivers who had not been suspended and drivers from other ride-hailing startups as a form of solidarity, though they were forbidden from showing any attribute of the companies.

The driver-partners would also seek for legal intervention if they were not able to reach any agreement with Grab.

—

Image Credit: Grab

The post Grab responds to drivers’ protest, will attend mediation meeting on Monday appeared first on e27.