Grab drivers in Vietnam are calling for a two-day boycott this weekend, September 12th and 13th, to protest what they describe as excessive commission fees. This campaign has gained traction across social media platforms, particularly within the Vietnam Grab Driver Community Facebook group, which boasts 169,000 members. Drivers argue that recent changes to Grab's payment structure, implemented in July, have led to deductions of up to 50% of the fare, significantly cutting into their take-home pay and making it difficult to earn a living wage.
Drivers are sharing screenshots of their reduced earnings online, illustrating that after Grab's deductions, they are left with approximately 2,600 dong ($0.13) per kilometer for motorcycle rides and about 6,000 dong per kilometer for car trips. These figures represent pre-expense earnings, meaning drivers still need to cover fuel, maintenance, and vehicle depreciation costs, which can render many trips barely profitable or even result in a loss, especially during traffic or adverse weather conditions. One driver, Mr. T.D., highlighted that a 102.87 km GrabBike Saver trip yielded a net income of only 259,000 VND, or about 2,518 VND/km, before fuel and maintenance.
The protest aims to pressure Grab Holdings Ltd. to re-evaluate its commission structure and policies. While Grab has not yet officially responded to the boycott, drivers believe a collective work stoppage could force the company to address their concerns. Economic expert Dr. Nguyen Tri Hieu noted that unlike traditional taxi drivers who are employees with benefits, ride-hailing drivers are classified as "partners," lacking social insurance and other fundamental labor rights, which exposes them to significant livelihood and social security risks.
