How much do you pay for a good driver in Jakarta

[WhyMe]

Hi All,

Its me again and this time would like to know what is the average salary of a driver in Jakarta? He/She would be working from morning 7 till evening 5 PM for five days a week. Not sure but a couple of drivers asked for 7 - 9 million per month, plus transport and food which to me sounds expensive.

Would appreciate any recommendations and also what are things i should be aware about.

Thanks

 

[Helpful Herbert]

I prefer to drive myself, but I definitely need a raise

 

[Banana72]

Hi All,

Its me again and this time would like to know what is the average salary of a driver in Jakarta? He/She would be working from morning 7 till evening 5 PM for five days a week. Not sure but a couple of drivers asked for 7 - 9 million per month, plus transport and food which to me sounds expensive.

Would appreciate any recommendations and also what are things i should be aware about.

Thanks

7 mill definitely overpriced.
I usually offer something like fixed salary..plus 'uang makan' (daily cash based on attendance basically their cash for meals). Give 100% full salary and some would come up with excuses to come late, not come (from sick to taking sick relatives, dead neighbors, etc).

Edited: and like always....expat drivers and non expat drivers got different rates.

I've had people paid 2,3-3.5 mill per month fixed salary and adding the 'daily allowance' of 30-75k rupiah (depending on the fixed salary) and extra allowance for holidays 1.5 times the normal rate.

 

[Dave70]

Maybe 7-9 million for a driver who can speak English

 

[Shadrach]

Hi All,

Its me again and this time would like to know what is the average salary of a driver in Jakarta? He/She would be working from morning 7 till evening 5 PM for five days a week. Not sure but a couple of drivers asked for 7 - 9 million per month, plus transport and food which to me sounds expensive.

Would appreciate any recommendations and also what are things i should be aware about.

Thanks

Take public transportation!

 

[Wisnu]

If you can afford, particularly in big city like Jakarta, having a driver might help you to enjoy and have a better quality of life; in addition to helping other to get the job and help him and his family to have better life too. of course everybody has different need.
I recall, more than 30 years ago when I lived in Jakarta, the traffic was not as bad now; while I enjoyed driving my Peugeot 405, my boss - a Brit - forced me to use a driver and provided me with a fully paid company driver; his reason was very simple - my time I spent behind steering wheel was more valuable than "small" money to pay the driver. He could call me anytime and work more productive; not wasting time to park the car when visiting our clients.
We also hired a private driver for my wife - she worked too. We can back home fresh, and a bit early so we could have more time with our daughters.

Back to original post - I don't know the current driver rate now; better you or your spouse to interview him directly, face to face, make it clear your rule and expectation, be fair, and make sure both parties are happy with what has been agreed., written agreement is necessary.
I never pay people who serve me (driver, maid or tukang), below the average rate; in fact, always above the average rate or even on the higher side if I believe s/he is special - and then treat them well. It could be an additional security protection for you and your family.

 

[harryopal1]

If you can afford, particularly in big city like Jakarta, having a driver might help you to enjoy and have a better quality of life; in addition to helping other to get the job and help him and his family to have better life too. of course everybody has different need.
I recall, more than 30 years ago when I lived in Jakarta, the traffic was not as bad now; while I enjoyed driving my Peugeot 405, my boss - a Brit - forced me to use a driver and provided me with a fully paid company driver; his reason was very simple - my time I spent behind steering wheel was more valuable than "small" money to pay the driver. He could call me anytime and work more productive; not wasting time to park the car when visiting our clients.
We also hired a private driver for my wife - she worked too. We can back home fresh, and a bit early so we could have more time with our daughters.

Back to original post - I don't know the current driver rate now; better you or your spouse to interview him directly, face to face, make it clear your rule and expectation, be fair, and make sure both parties are happy with what has been agreed., written agreement is necessary.
I never pay people who serve me (driver, maid or tukang), below the average rate; in fact, always above the average rate or even on the higher side if I believe s/he is special - and then treat them well. It could be an additional security protection for you and your family.

We recently had a case in Australia where the Sri Lanakan Deputy High Commissioner in Canberra was paying an employee 90cents an hour working from 6 am until 10 pm seven days a week for three years. The minimum wage at the time for a 38 hour week was $656.90. The Federal court has ordered the Deputy High Commissioner to pay about $660,000 to the employee. The Deputy High Commissioneer has left Australia to take up a position in Geneva as the Sri Lankan representative at the UN. No money has been paid as yet and getting payment is another matter.

It is staggering how many businesses from small to multi national coporations will cheat by underpaying their employees.

 

[Shadrach]

We recently had a case in Australia where the Sri Lanakan Deputy High Commissioner in Canberra was paying an employee 90cents an hour working from 6 am until 10 pm seven days a week for three years. The minimum wage at the time for a 38 hour week was $656.90. The Federal court has ordered the Deputy High Commissioner to pay about $660,000 to the employee. The Deputy High Commissioneer has left Australia to take up a position in Geneva as the Sri Lankan representative at the UN. No money has been paid as yet and getting payment is another matter.

It is staggering how many businesses from small to multi national coporations will cheat by underpaying their employees.

Such a sad story! It's inevitable that person will get their due Karma! Why did that employee let that take place for three years? Were they in Australia legally?

 

[harryopal1]

Such a sad story! It's inevitable that person will get their due Karma! Why did that employee let that take place for three years? Were they in Australia legally?

This is not an unusual case when it comes to employees of embassies and consuls abroad. A servant is taken to a developed country such as Australia, USA or UK. Their passports are kept and they are virtually prisoners within the embassy or consul. Invariably they are poorly educated people who do not speak the language of the country where they are now employed and are basically treated as slaves. In this particular case the person was legally taken to Australia by the Deputy High Commissioner. Unfortunately in countries with strong caste and class traditions it is common for servants to be treated inhumanely and have appalling work conditions. For an upper class person to move to a country such as Australia where there is not a servant class the prospect of doing their own cooking, laundry and cleaning is unacceptable so the answer is simple... bring your own servant.

 

[fastpitch17]

I spread the wealth and use Go and Grab. Little bit in many pockets.

 

[Shadrach]

This is not an unusual case when it comes to employees of embassies and consuls abroad. A servant is taken to a developed country such as Australia, USA or UK. Their passports are kept and they are virtually prisoners within the embassy or consul. Invariably they are poorly educated people who do not speak the language of the country where they are now employed and are basically treated as slaves. In this particular case the person was legally taken to Australia by the Deputy High Commissioner. Unfortunately in countries with strong caste and class traditions it is common for servants to be treated inhumanely and have appalling work conditions. For an upper class person to move to a country such as Australia where there is not a servant class the prospect of doing their own cooking, laundry and cleaning is unacceptable so the answer is simple... bring your own servant.

This person in my mind is definitely not a High anything! This story makes me think of the young staff where I live. They are students of the Fuji Academy here in Bali. After their time at the school, They come here for their three month apprenticeship without Pay! All they know how to do is check blood pressure, and can barely do that. They are so shy of me being a westerner, they act like little children. Constantly apologizing for any move they make. They seem so clueless to me. Then after three months, they are sent to Japan to do some kind of so called medical work? They are so inept at anything medical, Absolutely no Japanese, or English language skills. I wonder what in the world they will do in Japan? Is it prostitution? or just become prisoners at some elderly persons house, and not be able to leave, until their contract is finished?
If anyone has knowledge of what happens to these young people, please tell us?

 

[fastpitch17]

Most are placed in facilities for elder care. It is mandatory they attend classes to learn to speak Japanese and read and write Kanji. This while they get paid on the job training that far surpasses what they would get here. Their group housing is supplied also. If any took up prostitution they would be on the next plane out. As for your experiences, many times when a Westerner finds fault in some care they are getting it comes from the Westerner thinking they are a privilege to be served. May I suggest that if possible one watches the NHK World TV channel or access it on line and you will learn a lot about the foreign workers requirements in Japan along with how they live and are treated. Quite a few Indonesians in many different industries there. Also many from other SE Asian nations.

I would love it if they started having Uni Professor exchanges. Japan takes education very seriously and if Indonesia could better educate those that educate, they would be much better off on the world stage. These educators would be educating those that would be educating the elementary to high school teachers. The foreign professors in exchange would share their knowledge and get an understanding of the challenges here in this education system.

 

[Shadrach]

Most are placed in facilities for elder care. It is mandatory they attend classes to learn to speak Japanese and read and write Kanji. This while they get paid on the job training that far surpasses what they would get here. Their group housing is supplied also. If any took up prostitution they would be on the next plane out. As for your experiences, many times when a Westerner finds fault in some care they are getting it comes from the Westerner thinking they are a privilege to be served. May I suggest that if possible one watches the NHK World TV channel or access it on line and you will learn a lot about the foreign workers requirements in Japan along with how they live and are treated. Quite a few Indonesians in many different industries there. Also many from other SE Asian nations.

I would love it if they started having Uni Professor exchanges. Japan takes education very seriously and if Indonesia could better educate those that educate, they would be much better off on the world stage. These educators would be educating those that would be educating the elementary to high school teachers. The foreign professors in exchange would share their knowledge and get an understanding of the challenges here in this education system.

That's an excellent idea to do a better job at educating the teachers, that teach the children here. From what I've seen, they are doing a terrible job, at elementary level. I've seen children graduating and moving up in Grade level at elementary school yearly, and they can't even count to ten! This should not be allowed. I know for a fact, that these students while still here in Bali, are not receiving any salary, or proper training. So when they go to Japan, they are completely clueless, and uneducated in Japanese, or English language, and proper medical training!
It's a great system for the bosses here, to get workers for three months without pay!

 

[fastpitch17]

That's an excellent idea to do a better job at educating the teachers, that teach the children here. From what I've seen, they are doing a terrible job, at elementary level. I've seen children graduating and moving up in Grade level at elementary school yearly, and they can't even count to ten! This should not be allowed. I know for a fact, that these students while still here in Bali, are not receiving any salary, or proper training. So when they go to Japan, they are completely clueless, and uneducated in Japanese, or English language, and proper medical training!
It's a great system for the bosses here, to get workers for three months without pay!

What benefit to the bosses are these people if they have no skills for the bosses to offer. Japan will train them and by law teach them Japanese. They have no interest in teaching them English and even if they could speak English it would be if no benefit in Japan.

 

[Shadrach]

What benefit to the bosses are these people if they have no skills for the bosses to offer. Japan will train them and by law teach them Japanese. They have no interest in teaching them English and even if they could speak English it would be if no benefit in Japan.

Then why do they have to work for three months as an apprentice here for no pay, before they go to Japan? Who does that benefit? Definitely not the students!

 

[Ruserious]

6 mill as a base. 7-9 including overtime.

 

[fastpitch17]

Looking for work?

Japan to establish nursing care programs in Indonesia to recruit Southeast Asian workers - VnExpress International

Japan will actively recruit workers from Southeast Asia as nursing care staff starting from fiscal year 2025, amid a labor shortage in the field.

e.vnexpress.net

 

[Shadrach]

Why is it, that no-one responds to my post about these students working here in Bali for Zero pay, for three months, And no language, and very little medical training? From what I've seen, they are not at all ready, for going to a modern country like Japan. They can barely check blood pressure! And they're ridiculously shy dealing with a westerner. It seems like exploitation to me.

 

[john madden]

I wonder how the OP feels about his thread being derailed?

 

[fastpitch17]

Why is it, that no-one responds to my post about these students working here in Bali for Zero pay, for three months, And no language, and very little medical training? From what I've seen, they are not at all ready, for going to a modern country like Japan. They can barely check blood pressure! And they're ridiculously shy dealing with a westerner. It seems like exploitation to me.

It's normally referred to as someone being immune to whine.