Truck drivers are an essential stakeholder of the economy. Road transportation is an essential subsect of logistics and is a widely used type of freight transport and forwarding across the globe. The logistics industry has seen a shortage of 20% in heavy goods vehicle drivers, according to the Financial Times. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the shortage of truck drivers alongside an increasing consumer demand for products and the exponential use of e-commerce platforms.
The shortage of truck drivers is not a newly occurring challenge. This shortage has stemmed from some of the following issues: low wages, balancing working hours with financial responsibilities, unforeseen regulation changes, and high level of risk. Drivers in many countries globally earn low wages, depending on experience, skills and employment location. They are often prone to working long hours to meet their financial responsibilities. These two factors are interrelated and pose challenges to the industry in attracting new candidates to join the profession. Unforeseen regulation changes such as the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union caused a large outflow of foreign truck drivers to leave and return to mainland European. Finally, high levels of risk are associated with truck driving with long hours on the road, a probability for traffic accidents especially when the road conditions are difficult.
Within Egypt, several of these challenges are being addressed on the country and company level. Egypt has pledged an increased investment in improving road conditions and the expansion of the road infrastructure under the National Roads Project which will observe the opening of 39 new roadways across the country.
Within the company level, Naqla’s trucking platform removing the need for intermediary fees, this facilitates fairer wages for truck drivers. With higher truck utilization, drivers can be more efficient in their drop offs and the time spent on the road with Naqla’s optimized routes. Combined with Naqla Store which provides access to spare parts, tires, and additional necessary equipment for truck drivers by facilitating access to payment plans and assistance in managing overhead costs. Naqla’s continued focus on the trucker driver being a profession that contains opportunities for growing their business will encourage continuity.
Additionally, company has supported several football tournaments in cities with a high population density of drivers, allowing a safe and enjoyable space for drivers’ children to play, compete and encourage more participation in sports activities to raise industry awareness and continues to seek out more community development opportunities alongside supporting its own truck drivers. With a desirable working environment, existing truck drivers will encourage the nurture of a new generation of truck drivers. With sustainable working conditions, and a commitment to explore new ways to improve the lives of truck drivers, the pool of candidates will continue to grow and maintain trucking, an imperative subsector of the logistics industry.
Work with a company that optimize the logistics of your supply chain and contributes to the sustainability of the supply chain, and get your quotation today or join Naqla’s fleet here as a driver!
