4th Conference of the Regulating for Decent
Work Network (RDW), ILO, Geneva
A Study on Commercial Truck Driver’s Vulnerability in India –
Mitigations and Strategies for enrichment of Truck Driver’s lifestyle
BY
Dr.P.Senthilkumar, Mahindra Research Valley, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, Chennai, India
Mr.N.Rajkumar, Society for Educational and Entrepreneurship Development (SEED), Chennai, India
# of Slides : 28
Date: July
10th,
1
2015
Overview of the Presentation

Introduction about truck driver’s hurdles, lifestyle and habits.

Broad understanding about Indian Trucking Industry – An Unorganized Sector.

Objectives and tools used for the survey

Survey findings and analysis

Hypothesis and inference on various factors which influences truck driver’s
lifestyle

Strategies for mitigation to enrich the lifestyle of the truck driver’s

Conclusion with some significant happenings on female truck drivers.
2
Introduction

In the recent advancement of Technology in transportation
engineering – the world is shrunk, in a nut shell where
everything and anything can be reached in shorter turn
around time.

There is hardly anything which reaches the general public
with out involvement of transportation – Trucks & Truck
Drivers have a major role to play in this segment.

With 6 Million truck drivers in India, the trucking industry
represents a notable proportion of the labour force (2.5 %)
3
Introduction, Contd…

Paper focuses on vulnerable jobs of the Indian Commercial
truck drivers

Survey was conducted at 4 locations in India.

Lifestyle of the truck drivers and factors which influence them
are studied

Truck drivers are in to high mobility on major part of the day
and they are away from their families
4
Indian Trucking Industry - Overview

The Indian trucking sector contributes on average 8 lakhs
vehicle per annum.

There is a paucity of good infrastructure in India.

Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland and Eicher Motors are major
domestic commercial vehicles.

Other players such as Daimler India Commercial Vehicles,
Mahindra Trucks, Volvo Commercial Vehicles, Man Trucks,
AMW, Force Motors are added to India’s Stable
Indian Trucking Industry – Overview, Contd …

Truck Drivers are subjected to strenuous long hours of
tiresome job and the consequences are many.

Often drivers are forced to be behind the wheels for over 15
hours a day.

There is a stigma in the society towards truck drivers. While
bus and taxi drivers command respect in the society, truck
drivers do not.

In the past cleaners graduated to become drivers, today no
one wants to become a cleaner either.
6
Indian Trucking Industry - Overview
Production and Sales Trend – Commercial Vehicles in India*
10
9.29
9
8.09
8
7.6
7.93
6.99
6.84
7
6
8.32
6.97
6.32
5.67
6.15
5.32
5
4
3
2
1
0
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
Production Trend
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
Sales Trend
7
Production and Sales Trend Values are in Lacs
* Source taken from SIAM
Objectives of the Survey
The Main Objectives of this survey,

Identify the lifestyle of the truck driver’s and factors which influence them.

To formulate appropriate strategies for mitigation and enriching the lifestyle of the truck
driver’s.
Tools used for Collecting Data

Sample Size for this exercise is 106 Truck Drivers.

Specifically designed questionnaire considering the factors like personnel data, environmental
factors, safety, awareness on sexually transmitted disease, government regulations

The survey was done using event sampling where the truck drivers were passing by the toll
plazas, Near Ports etc

Chi-Square test and 2 Way ANOVA were used
8
Survey Findings

The sample size taken for this survey is 106 commercial truck drivers from 4 locations of India..

The survey questionnaire was formulated in such a way to cover all aspects of the truck driver
lifestyle which influences him in his day to day activity
AGE PROFILE OF TRUCK
DRIVER'S
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
WEST
15%
24%
>60 YEARS
37%
SOUTH
28%
41 YEARS TO 60 YEARS
< 25 YEARS
29%
EAST
39%
25 YEARS TO 40 YEARS
NORTH
9%
19%
MARITAL STATUS
DIVORCE
WIDOWER
UNMARRIED
MARRIED
16%
26%
27%
31%
9
Survey Findings
EDUCATION LEVEL
28%
GRADUATE
12TH STD
OWNERSHIP PROFILE
> 30000 INR
6%
LEASE
15000 INR TO 30000 INR
17%
BELOW 10TH STD
28%
TRUCKING EXPERIENCE
> 20 YEARS
13%
<10000 INR
TRUCKING RANGE
47%
20%
> 700 KMS
26%
26%
INTERSTATE
< 2 YEARS
15%
KILOMETERS TRAVELLED
PER DAY
26%
500 KMS TO 700 KMS
3 YEARS TO 10 YEARS
56%
20%
INTRA STATE
11 YEARS TO 20 YEARS
13%
10000 INR TO 15000 INR
OWNER
27%
16%
81%
NOT OWNER
10TH STD
MONTHLY SALARY
28%
53%
31%
300 KMS TO 500 KMS
23%
< 300 KMS
10
Survey Findings
RESTING HOURS PER DAY
OFF DAYS PER MONTH
8 HOURS TO 9 HOURS
17%
> 7 DAYS
5 HOURS TO 7 HOURS
17%
5 DAYS TO 7 DAYS
42%
4 HOURS TO 5 HOURS
< 3 HOURS
24%
< 2 DAYS
EATING PLACE
RESTAURANTS
ROAD SIDE DHABA
2 DAYS TO 4 DAYS
44%
29%
20%
HAVING MULTIPLE SEX
> 7 DAYS
28%
5 DAYS TO 7 DAYS
28%
25%
2 DAYS TO 4 DAYS
25%
19%
< 2 DAYS
SEXUAL AFFAIR
NO SEX
56%
26%
HOME VISITS PER MONTH
32%
CONDOM USAGE
DON'T USE CONDOM
68%
49%
51%
USE CONDOM
11
Survey Findings
AIDS AWARENESS
NOT AWARE OF AIDS
HIGHWAY MEDICAL
CENTERS
RECREATIONAL
FACILITIES
49%
NOT BOTHERED
81%
NO MEDICAL CENTERS
OCCASIONAL VISITOR
51%
AWARENESS ON AIDS
TRUCK LOADING
CONDITION
MEDICAL CENTERS
AWARENESS ON SAFETY
NO SEAT BELT
29%
OVER LOAD
RATED LOAD
DON’T WEAR SEAT BELT
24%
25%
74%
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
NO
44%
35%
20%
WEAR SEAT BELT
16%
HAPPILY WELCOME
26%
NO LOAD
UNDER LOAD
19%
10%
41%
56%
YES
12
Survey Findings
ACCIDENT PROFILE
> 10 ACCIDENTS
10%
27%
OPPONENTS MISTAKE
35%
< 5 ACCIDENTS
28%
DROWSINESS
39%
5 TO 10 ACCIDENTS
ZERO ACCIDENTS
ACCIDENT ROOT CAUSE
DRUG CONSUMPTION
16%
POOR MAINTENANCE
POLICE HARASSMENT
NO
27%
HIGHWAY SAFETY
NO FEAR WHILE DRIVING
OCCASIONALLY UNSAFE
21%
24%
24%
HIGHLY UNSAFE
23%
33%
42%
HAPPY
YES
73%
OVERWHELMING HAPPY
30%
UNSAFE
DEGREES OF HAPPINESS
WITH LOGISTICS
COMPANY
NOT HAPPY
23%
25%
14
Data Analysis

Observations are statistically tested to find out the
association and significance between one factor and the
other

Chi Square test and two way anova methods have been used

The Significance level considered in this analysis is α = 0.05.

Null hypothesis (H0) and Alternative hypothesis (H1) are
predetermined for set of associations / treatments
16
Survey Analysis
Co-relation between the following are observed as follows,

between the age of the truck drivers and the ownership levels

between the age of the truck drivers and trucking range (Interstate/Intrastate)

between recreational facilities and positive change in lifestyle of the truck
drivers.

between accidents occurred and various levels of vehicle loading condition

between accidents occurred and alcohol consumption among truck drivers.

between age and multiple sexual behavioural affairs.

between age and awareness on AIDS.
17
Survey Analysis – Major Conclusions
Objectively it is evident that the truck drivers engage in high risk sexual behaviours making
them vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases.
 Truck Drivers are twice as likely to acquire the HIV infection and also serve as a bridge
population linking with the general population.


It is a necessary to address the truck driver’s vulnerabilities in order to enrich their lifestyle
No proper road infrastructure, no better place to eat healthy food, poor highway safety, high
risk sexual behaviour and STD, low salary and low end facilities in trucks
 Government of India to take necessary measures to patrol these areas of high density bribe
areas with vigilance department to control the harassment of the police.


To overcome the hurdles faced by these truck drivers, there should be more than one channel
to get fused in order to facelift truck drivers as it is being done in nowadays automobiles for
every three years to compete in the global competition.

When specified more than one channel, it can be government, commercial vehicle
manufacturer and media as well.
18
Strategies for Mitigation

Objective of this paper is not only to analyse , also suggest suitable
strategies for enrichment of truck driver’s lifestyle.

Strategies formulated to over come the hurdles and to uplift the
lifestyle of the truck driver’s

Wellness Lessons and Social Networking

Creation of driver training institutes

Corporate Social Responsibilities

High end technology trucks

Truck Driver to an Entrepreneur
19
1
Strategies for Mitigation –
Wellness Lessons and Social Networking

Wellness lessons from logistics organization - the perspective of creating a bottom line wellness
program.

A Corporate Social Responsibility aspect in order to improve the well-being of truck drivers.

Creating social networking health outreach program for truck drivers.

It is anticipated that this effort will result in greater acceptance as well as foster mutual support
within the truck driver community.
20
2
Strategies for Mitigation –
Creation of Driver Training Institutes

Commercial Truck Manufacturers to adopt truck drivers through creation / development of
driver training institutes and giving them job with substantial salary

To Create Centres of Excellence, where the philosophy is to prepare drivers for life – both on
and off the road.

Training to cover all aspects of driving and road management

To promote a holistic approach to health, stress control and overall well-being.

Skills such as safe driving, fuel conservation, repairs and maintenance to be taught.

The importance of good health to be stressed, with special emphasis on prevention of HIV – the
most prevalent disease among truckers

Migration from an unorganized sector to an organized sector.

The result?
Fewer accidents, lower operational costs and a happy workforce
who are an asset to the organization.
21
3
Strategies for Mitigation –
Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR)

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has to be taken up by each truck manufacturing company
to come forward and set up recreational facilities.

Facilities like Resting area, sports, Safety Lockers and hygienic medical centres for any
emergency.

Set up Intermediate truck lay by bays for every 100 kms - Short time resting during peak hours
of fatigue and stress (Especially in the early morning where maximum accidents occur due to
drowsiness

During the survey the above aspects were vouched by most of the truck drivers.
22
4
Strategies for Mitigation –
High End Technology Trucks

Indian trucking sector is not much focussing on the high end technologies in the commercial
vehicles when compared to eastern countries

High End Facilities is one of the important aspects which is going to address improved
ergonomics and comfort for driver in Indian driving condition

Driver’s comfort is not even a factor in existing Indian trucks and this affects the psychological
and behavioural pattern of Indian drivers

There is a major responsibility or need from the commercial vehicle manufactures to adopt high
end technology considering ergonomics and comfort for existing driving conditions in India

Some of the mandate high end features are AMT, AC cabins, 4 point suspended cabin needs to
be implemented

This migration to high end technology solutions are very much prevalent in western and
European countries and truck manufacturers in India has to adopt these technologies to reduce
23
the fatigue and this may result in improved healthy life
5
Strategies for Mitigation –
Truck Driver to an Entrepreneur

A New Initiative where few logistics owners have now developed this concept

LOGIC - Logistics operator hire a truck driver and gives him a target for fuel consumption and
operational cost per day and he is directed to spend with in the specified limit including the
maintenance aspect

End of the fifth year the truck which the driver had maintained becomes the owner of the
vehicle by giving a very meagre depreciation amount compared less than the market rate

These limitations constraints the truck driver not to incline to any high risk sex behaviours and
reduces drug consumption

He saves the money for the maintenance of the truck with the ambition of owning a truck

This strategy ensures truck driver retention and finally the truck driver owns a truck
24
Conclusion

Truck Driver’s are the lifeline of India but seen by the public as migrators of sexually transmitted
diseases.

It is purely evident from the findings - Truckers tire themselves for hours and to de-stress them
they are involved in multiple sexual affairs and to de-fatigue them they consume drugs and
alcohol

Commercial vehicle manufacturer as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) have to engage
the truck driver’s enrichment in all aspects for their well being.

Findings reveal that accidents occur significantly - To overcome this, government of India should
come up with measures to improve the road infrastructure.

Vehicle manufacturers to benchmark global manufacturers to migrate to modern high end trucks
with bear minimum AC cabins to reduce the fatigue of the truck drivers.

The strategies mentioned - Drive a positive change in the truck drivers community in future.

Positive Change – Truck Driver’s to be viewed by the public with respect and dignity

As Individual, we also have Self Social Responsibility (SSR) to bring awareness on
25
well being to the truck driver’s in way or other with in our specified boundary……………..
Few Recent Happening in India in Trucking
Industry …………..
26
27
28
29
Questions ???
Thank You !!!
30
Survey Analysis
Chi Square Test Inference between Categories and Inferences
Sl.No
1
Inference
Ownership
Level
0.015
0.05
p<α
Dependent
Trucking
Experience
0.72
0.05
p>α
Not
Dependent
Monthly
Salary
0.1
0.05
p>α
Not
Dependent
Interstate
and Intra
State
Driving
0.001
0.05
p<α
Dependent
H0: No dependency between age and ownership profile
H1: Dependency between age and ownership profile
H0: No dependency between age and trucking experience
H1: Dependency between age and trucking experience
Age of the truck Drivers
3
α Value
Categories
Age of the truck Drivers
2
p Value
Dependent /
Not
Dependent
H0: No dependency between education and monthly salary
H1: Dependency between education and monthly salary
Education of the Truck Drivers
H0: No dependency between age and trucking range
H1: Dependency between age and trucking range
4
Age of the truck Drivers
31
Survey Analysis
Chi Square Test Inference between Categories and Inferences
Sl.No
Categories
5
H0: No dependency between trucking experience and trucking range
H1: Dependency between trucking experience and trucking range
Interstate and
Trucking Experience
Intra State
Driving
6
H0: No dependency between monthly salary and trucking experience
H1: Dependency between monthly salary and trucking experience
Trucking
Monthly Salary
Experience
p Value
α Value
Inference
Dependent /
Not Dependent
0.29
0.05
p>α
Not Dependent
0.96
0.05
p>α
Not Dependent
0.58
0.05
p>α
Not Dependent
p>α
Not Dependent
H0: No dependency between Rest per day and trucking range
H1: Dependency between Rest per day and trucking range
7
Resting per day
8
Interstate and
Intra State
Driving
H0: No dependency between Rest per day and off days per month
H1: Dependency between Rest per day and off days per month
Off days per
Resting per day
month
32
0.54
0.05
Survey Analysis
Chi Square Test Inference between Categories and Inferences
Sl.No
9
10
Categories
H0: No dependency between trucking range and visit to home / month
H1: Dependency between trucking range and visit to home / month
No. of times
Interstate and Intra State Driving
visiting home
per month
α Value
Inference
0.75
0.05
p>α
Not
Dependent
0.72
0.05
p>α
Not
Dependent
0.02
0.05
p<α
Dependent
H0: No dependency between accidents and alcohol consumption
H1: Dependency between accidents and alcohol consumption
No.of Accidents
11
p Value
Dependent /
Not
Dependent
Alcohol
Consumption
H0: No dependency between recreational facilities and lifestyle
H1: Dependency between recreational facilities and lifestyle
Recreational Facilities on Highway
Change in
Lifestyle
33
Survey Analysis
Chi Square Test Inference between Categories and Inferences
Sl.No
Categories
12
H0: No dependency between AC/Non-AC cabin and mandate AC Cabin
H1: Dependency between AC/Non-AC cabin and mandate AC Cabin
Mandate AC
AC/Non AC cabin
Cabin Happy or
Not Happy
13
H0: No dependency between usage of condom and awareness on AIDS
H1: Dependency between usage of condom and awareness on AIDS
Awareness on
Usage of Condom
AIDS
p Value
α Value
Inference
Dependent /
Not
Dependent
0.02
0.05
p<α
Dependent
0.21
0.05
p>α
Not
Dependent
34
Survey Analysis
Sl.No
Factors
Two Way Anova Method without replication for critical factors
F Cal F Cri
Inference
Hypothesis:
H0 : No Significant difference between different treatments of accidents for a given frequency of truck drivers.
H1 : Significant difference between different treatments of accidents for a given frequency of truck drivers.
No. of Accidents Occurred
1
9.40
F Calculated is greater than F Critical and hence H1 is accepted and there
3.86 is significant difference the treatments accidents for given
frequency of drivers.
Hypothesis:
H0 : No Significant difference between different treatments of vehicle loading condition for a given frequency of truck
drivers.
H1 : Significant difference between different treatments of vehicle loading condition for a given frequency of truck
drivers.
Vehicle Loading Condition
0.65
F Calculated is less than F Critical and hence H0 is accepted and there is
35
3.86 no significant difference the between the treatments of different
loading conditions with a given frequency of drivers
Survey Analysis
Sl.No
Factors
Two Way Anova Method without replication for critical factors
F Cal F Cri
Inference
Hypothesis:
H0 : No Significant difference between different treatments of alcohol consumption for a given frequency of truck
drivers.
H1 : Significant difference between different treatments of alcohol consumption for a given frequency of truck
drivers.
2
Alcohol Consumption
6
F Calculated is less than F Critical and hence H0 is accepted and there is
10.12 no significant difference the between the treatments of Alcohol
consumption with a given frequency of drivers.
Hypothesis:
H0 : No Significant difference between different treatments of accidents for a given frequency of truck drivers.
H1 : Significant difference between different treatments of accidents for a given frequency of truck drivers.
No. of Accidents Occurred
F Calculated is greater than F Critical and hence H1 is accepted and
36
33.44 9.27 there is significant difference the treatments
accidents for given
frequency of drivers.
Survey Analysis
Sl.No
Factors
Two Way Anova Method without replication for critical factors
F Cal F Cri
Inference
Hypothesis:
H0 : No Significant difference between different treatments of multiple sexual affairs for a given frequency of truck
drivers.
H1 : Significant difference between different treatments of multiple sexual affairs for a given frequency of truck
drivers.
Multiple Sexual Affairs
3
F Calculated is less than F Critical and hence H0 is accepted and there is
3.35 10.12 no significant difference the between the treatments of multiple
sexual affairs with a given frequency of drivers.
Hypothesis:
H0 : No Significant difference between different treatments of age of truck drivers for a given frequency of truck
drivers.
H1 : Significant difference between different treatments of age of truck drivers for a given frequency of truck
drivers.
Age
1.59
F Calculated is less than F Critical and hence H0 is accepted and there is
37
9.27 no significant difference the between the treatments of age with
a given frequency of drivers.
Survey Analysis
Sl.No
Factors
Two Way Anova Method without replication for critical factors
F Cal
F Cri
Inference
Hypothesis:
H0 : No Significant difference between different treatments of AIDS Awareness for a given frequency of truck
drivers.
H1 : Significant difference between different treatments of AIDS Awareness for a given frequency of truck drivers.
Awareness on AIDS
4
1.60
F Calculated is less than F Critical and hence H0 is accepted and there is
10.12 no significant difference the between the treatments of
awareness on AIDS with a given frequency of drivers.
Hypothesis:
H0 : No Significant difference between different treatments of age of truck drivers for a given frequency of truck
drivers.
H1 : Significant difference between different treatments of age of truck drivers for a given frequency of truck
drivers.
Age
20.60
9.27
F Calculated is greater than F Critical and hence H1 is accepted and
there is significant difference between38the treatments of age for
given frequency of drivers.