In August 2025, Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old delivery driver, set out on his motorbike to complete another order in Jakarta. He was not joining a protest that day — he was simply working, delivering food when he was struck and killed by police armored vehicle that drove into crowds near parliament. Media reports later confirmed he had been on the job, not part of the demonstration (Channel News Asia, 29 August 2025).
Affan’s death quickly became the face of the protests that were already underway across Indonesia. What began as outrage over new parliamentary allowances and perks — including housing benefits worth many times the minimum wage — soon broadened into wider anger about inequality, government spending priorities, and the everyday economic struggles faced by millions. Rising living costs, low wages, and shrinking protections have left many people feeling that those in power are disconnected from the hardships of ordinary citizens.
For workers like Affan, the platform economy has become both a lifeline and a trap. It provides income when other options are scarce, but often at the cost of long hours, unstable pay, and constant exposure to risk. Affan’s story shows this clearly: he was out working to survive, yet found himself fatally caught in the middle of a political conflict that was not his own.
The Fairwork Indonesia 2025 report documents how these vulnerabilities are part of a wider pattern. Workers across transport, delivery, and home services face low pay, insecure contracts, and algorithms that control access to jobs with little transparency. Protests and strikes in at least sixteen cities show that workers are organising, but fragmented associations and weak legal recognition limit their power.
Affan’s story reminds us why these issues matter. Platform work is now deeply tied to Indonesia’s economic and social fabric. But without stronger protections, fairer rules, and meaningful worker voice, millions will remain trapped in insecurity while platforms continue to grow in power. A fairer digital economy is possible — one that protects workers, recognises their rights, and values their contribution.
