Pappa will come soon, beta!

RAMESH KUMARFounder-Chairperson

KRK Foundation

23 December 2013

Some basic inputs,before getting deep into

Driver Relationship Management Or

DRM

• 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

So, what to do?

THINK!