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Gojek to import masks, distribute staple goods to help drivers endure pandemic
Gojek will distribute the imported masks to its motorbike drivers and the country's healthcare providers.
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A Gojek driver carries a passenger on a motorbike. (Shutterstock.com/findracadabra )
H
omegrown ride-hailing app Gojek has received a permit from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and the Health Ministry to import 5 million masks to be distributed to its motorbike drivers and the country’s healthcare providers.
The imports will add to the company’s previous distributions of masks, hand sanitizer and vitamins to its drivers in 80 cities in the country.
“This import is to ensure that locally produced masks and other protective gear can be allocated to hospitals,” said Gojek’s independent commissioner Garibaldi Thohir in a written statement on Wednesday.
He added that the drivers could be at an increased risk of contracting the virus as they interacted with people daily through their deliveries.
Distributing masks is one of a dozen measures from the company to keep its employees and contracted workers safe during the pandemic. Gojek has distributed staple goods to drivers above 60 years old, has given staple-needs vouchers to younger drivers and has relaxed vehicle loan repayment requirements.
Drivers who get COVID-19 or become a patient under treatment (PDP) can also receive financial aid from Gojek and its charity foundation Yayasan Anak Bangsa Kita. Gojek customers can help drivers by giving tips up to Rp 100,000 (US$5.89) using the in-app e-wallet feature.
“Our drivers are facing uncertainties every day, and we just want to help ease their worry about the future,” said Gojek Co-CEO Kevin Aluwi.
Previously, the company’s senior management cut their salaries to allocate more than Rp 100 billion to help drivers and employees cope with low demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
