• Millions of vehicles on road already. More being added daily
• Government desires two drivers per vehicle format from safety point of view on long hauls…
• “Getting a single driver is itself big challenge … Second driver is impossible ” – Fleet owners
• Why there is a shortage of truck drivers – skilled or otherwise?
Why?
No Respect
IF YOU’RE A TRUCK DRIVER
• Drivers DON’T work on salary basis. But on PER TRIP basis mostly. Not out of choice. But a fait accompli
If at all they work on salary basis, it is PEANUTS!
…Rs.5000/month +
Road Expenses(Including bribe payment
to authorities)
Forget about wages.…
What about
Working conditions?
• Kitchen … On the roadside …. Always.
• Kitchen … or … under the Truck they drive
• Sleeping Quarters … Upper/lower berth of his cabin...
• Sleeping Quarters … On the pavement ... LITERALLY
• Morning Ablutions … Rushing into bushes with bottled water to ‘empty bowels’… NO toilets
• This family gets to see their breadwinner OCCASIONALLY. Why? Because he is not like you & I – a 9 am to 6 pm jobber. But a truck driver – at times, days or weeks together he is away from home.
• They have NO Saturdays & Sundays. All days are working days. Either they are driving or waiting for loading/unloading… Away from home mostly.
• Good question.
• … So that YOU & I are able to pick up our morning newspapers to know worldy affairs…
• … So that YOU & I have access to fruits to satisfy our taste buds as and when the itch rises
• … So that medicine reaches healthcare institutions to treat patients in time… Life-saving.
• … So that YOU & I are able to eat out with mouth-watering stuff at cafetarias & restaurants.
• … So that YOU & I are able to party anyday … any occasion with the right stuff!
• From toothpaste to coffee to single malt … Nothing is accessible to us without THEM …. Viz., the DRIVERS who move products from factories to our homes.
Why this LONG lecture or Preamble?
• Because all of us have forgotten one basic tenet of humanity viz.,
Respect for others
IRRESPECTIVE of the job
he/she does.Remember, DIGNITY OF LABOUR?
He, THE DRIVER, is- away from home most of the time- odd working hours- no holidays- no social security net- ill treated by officials on highways- poorly paid- worst working conditions- no job security