China's transport ministry to address truck drivers' concerns

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The Chinese Ministry of Transport (MOT) on Monday promised to pay close attention to the needs of truck drivers and improve their working conditions, recognizing that changes in the road haulage industry have put pressure on wages.

Ministry spokesperson Wu Chungeng pointed to a series of factors that have put pressure on the 21 million workers in the road haulage sector, including rising oil prices, upgrades to the freight industry, lower transportation fees and tighter environmental controls.

Technological changes have also seen a conflict arise between traditional models in the haulage sector and new mobile transportation platforms, said Wu.

VCG Photo

According to the Global Times, China’s biggest “truck-hailing” app, Manbang, serves 5.2 million truck drivers and 1.25 million logistics firms as members.

The mobile platform has caused major changes within the industry, with the Global Times reporting it handles 13.59 billion tons out of the 18.28 billion tons of goods on roads in China each day.

The platform has grown rapidly, and secured financing of 1.9 billion US dollars in April, with SoftBank among the investors.

China's huge e-commerce industry is heavily reliant on the road transportation sector. A report by Chinese logistics company G7 last year suggested truck drivers are responsible for moving 80 percent of the country's freight.

A father and daughter working together as truck drivers near Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, December 2017. /VCG Photo

Recognizing that the road haulage sector has made great contributions to the economic and social development and stability of China for a long time, Wu said The MOT has attached great importance to the healthy and stable development of the freight industry, and has been working hard to improve the working conditions of truck drivers.

Wu said that after working with other departments and governmental organizations last year on the “2017-2020 action plan to promote the healthy and stable development of the road freight industry,” measures had already been put in place to improve the industry.

Among those measures were moves to give lorry drivers preferential highway tolls and provide free online education tools. This year, Wu said the MOT has improved drivers’ rest areas and given drivers priority in workplace injury insurance schemes.

Wu said that truck drivers in some regions had recently “reflected the problems surrounding improving working conditions and the working environment,” adding that the MOT would pay close attention and coordinate with relevant ministries and departments.

The next step, according to Wu, will be for the MOT to ensure its action plan is carried out, reducing the burden on truck drivers and improving their incomes.

Trucks stuck in traffic on a highway near Zhengzhou, Henan Province, February 2016. /VCG Photo

According to China.org.cn, "many truck drivers are unwilling to share their vehicles with other drivers, which means they often have to undertake a 16 hour drive alone."

While Chinese traffic rules state drivers should rest for 20 minutes every four hours, many drivers continue without a break to stick to demanding schedules. China.org.cn has reported that some drivers "force themselves to stay awake by taking nicotine or even prohibited substances, such as alcohol or drugs."