DHL SmarTrucking is providing a truckload of facilities to help improve the lives of its drivers

• Besides providing job opportunities, DHL SmarTrucking also educates its SmarTruckers about government initiatives available for their benefit
• Best-in-class salaries, paid out before month-end, help make the truckers’ lives more planned and stable
• DHL SmarTrucking aims to have 20,000-25,000 truckers by 2028

DHL SmarTrucking has been working diligently to create a driver-centric culture, which is designed to help improve the lives and working conditions of SmarTruckers. Indian truckers typically face a host of obstacles ranging from health issues, loneliness, low self-esteem, lack of a family life and barriers to education. DHL SmarTrucking works closely with truck drivers by providing them with employment opportunities and educates SmarTruckers about the benefits they can secure for their family members under various government schemes.

Some key benefits provided to DHL SmarTruckers include:

• Best-in-class remuneration, paid out before the end of every month, with the drivers notified via SMS
• Mediclaim cover for 3 lakhs
• Proper resting and sleeping facilities at 17 DHL SmarTrucking SmartHubs across the country
• Sleeping berths with bed sheets, and fans and adjustable seats in the trucks, to prevent fatigue and body ache
• Meal coupons which can be availed at partner eateries across the country
• Wellness sessions such as Yoga, physiotherapy and meditation, for optimum health

“At DHL SmarTrucking, we believe that truck drivers are the strength of any logistics company, playing a major role in ensuring seamless delivery of goods across the country, and providing real-time information about on-ground situations. Indian truckers have traditionally faced a plethora of issues, and in line with our vision of transforming Indian logistics, our priority is to reinvent their working conditions and revitalize their personal lives, by enabling a nurturing environment, and therefore, a brighter future,” said Neeraj Bansal, CEO, DHL SmarTrucking. “In addition to the benefits we provide, we also conduct workshops to build awareness about government initiatives, such as free education for girl children, Jan Dhan Yojana, career development programs and other government benefits. We are confident that our endeavours in this direction are going to be successful in changing the Indian trucking scenario for the better,” he added.

DHL SmarTrucking has also devised games and interesting activities to impart knowledge and training in an engaging way and keep the drivers motivated. Whether the goal is to improve awareness about laws such as the Traffic, Safety and Central Vehicle Act, fundamentals like vehicle familiarization or emergency skills like changing tyres quickly, DHL SmarTrucking ensures that the activities are designed to be interesting and fun for the drivers.

“DHL SmarTrucking has brought a lot of change to my life,” said Mahesh, DHL SmarTrucker. “Where I used to depend on uncertain earnings before, now I get my money on time every month. This has helped me plan my family’s life and future better. With their driver relay model, I can now get rest enroute, and the shortened transit times have helped me go home to my family more frequently. Workwise also I have learned important things – for example, being able to change tyres quickly prevents my driver partner and me from getting stranded in bad weather or in dangerous areas. At the SmartHubs, we also celebrate birthdays and holidays, which has brought me closer to the other drivers I meet there. I am very happy to be working for DHL SmarTrucking.”

DHL SmarTrucking is also creating systems to help drivers in behavioral modification. For example, the company captures driving behavior through telematics and uses the information to tailor coaching sessions depending on specific requirements.

At present DHL SmarTrucking has 1,500 drivers, with the aim of having 20,000-25,000 SmarTruckers by 2028.