Gojek Brace‑for‑Grace: A Ride‑Hailing Riddle
JAKARTA—The Indonesian super‑app Gojek is preparing to trim its workforce this week, according to insiders who said the company has no comment yet.
While the daily grind of taxis and food deliveries is still on, the COVID‑19 storm has left many ride‑hailing firms running on empty. Which is why the titans are tightening belts.
Why the Crunch?
- Ticket to the Next Round – Gojek is finalising a $3 billion investment at a $10 billion valuation. Facebook’s got in on the action, along with its old buds
TencentandGoogle. - Grab’s Share of the Pain – The company’s sibling in Southeast Asia is shedding about 360 jobs (roughly 5 % of staff) after a dip in demand for rides.
- Driver‑Fees & Bonuses, Gone – Grab is limiting its performance‑based commission rebate to 18,000 riders and has scrapped a slew of driver perks: monthly trip target bonuses, birthday rewards, the whole shebang.
- Senior Cuts – Grab also trimmed senior management salaries by up to 20 % and offered voluntary unpaid leave to further trim costs.
What’s Next for Gojek?
As the gig economy takes a hard hit from global slowdowns, Gojek’s leadership has a lot on its plate. Will a new wave of investors steer the company through, or will layoffs become the headline of 2025?
Takeaway
In a world where even the “super app” is feeling the chill, the ride‑hailing scene is doing what it does best: adapt. Stay tuned as Jakarta’s biggest app prepares for a leaner, smarter future.
