Delivery drivers play a critical role in the success of businesses worldwide, across many industries. With millions of people relying on safe, on-time delivery for access to groceries, restaurant meals, medications, and other goods, protecting the health and safety of drivers is the right thing to do as a society.
Risks of Being a Delivery Driver
The delivery and courier sector has grown over the past few years. This was partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with many workers leaving old jobs to meet the growing demand imposed by increased online shopping. However, being a delivery driver comes with its share of hazards. Most drivers work alone, often for long hours and in unfamiliar places. Here are some of the most common risks faced by delivery drivers:
- Poor driving conditions that include wet roads, unfamiliar areas, and the immense heat, especially in the MENA region.
- Other drivers that may not take notice of the motorcycles the drivers ride on. This becomes an even greater risk during busy hours and traffic-filled roads.
- Being a delivery driver means workers will have multiple interactions with pedestrians and customers throughout the day. Whilst most of these encounters will likely be fleeting things, delays and minor inconveniences can result in people treating delivery drivers negatively.
- Long hours and the pressure of making deliveries on time can lead to tiredness. The likelihood of accidents goes up when drivers are tired.
Interactions with Delivery Drivers
As stated previously, being a delivery driver means workers will have countless interactions during their day with customers. Most of these interactions are very casual and fleeting. However, some customers treat the workers very poorly. This comes from the belief in the hierarchy system. Customers think that they are above workers and treat the workers as such. They forget that these workers are human beings just like them. In the MENA region, and especially in countries such as the UAE, with the really high temperatures and busy life, customers forget that workers can suffer as well. Giving delivery drivers at least a cold bottle of water, a tip, some leftover food or utilities or clothes, or even a smile and some kind words can turn their entire day around. These unfortunate delivery drivers are working a high-risk job that pays even below minimum wage. Therefore, it is unnecessary and completely inhumane for them to be treated unfairly.