It turns out that many Europeans are complaining about poor earnings and working conditions in the transport industry. The German truck driver tells the newspaper “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (FAZ) about what annoys him in his profession.
“Zero time, zero comfort and little money” – begins the FAZ article, in which we hear a testimony of Maik, a 47-year-old truck driver from Thuringia with 25 years in the profession.
Maik’s “house on wheels” is small. “Every dog, which is more than 50 cm tall, has the right to 8 sqm. surface,” says the driver. This is the result of the directive on the protection of animals.
Meanwhile, the German, measuring 190 cm, can only make two steps in his cabin. When he is on the road, the cabin is his home. “And it’s almost all the time on the road” – reads FAZ.
Photo: Therealinsta.com
A typical day for Maik
After just a few hours of sleep in the truck, Maik uses the toilet in the office building and takes a “shower” in the washbasin. He buys his coffee that has been soaked in the aroma of a plastic cup in the vending machine and sets off in the morning fog for his first customer. The entrepreneur is already waiting for goods brought by a driver from Italy.
After unloading and without a pause, Maik moves to another client. “One after the another. The most important thing is to be able to withstand the stress and hectic rush” – emphasizes the German.
The driver is annoyed that on many bridges, due to their technical condition, there are speed limits for trucks. “It’s a disgrace” he comments. In addition, each day there is a fight for parking spaces when the tachograph calls for a break. The German also fell victim to cargo thieves, who have been prowling the country for years.
“Many difficulties – low wages” – the driver summarizes his everyday life.
Stress, poor infrastructure, bad conditions in the cabin and on top comes the competition from the East, which puts pressure on Western carriers due to low service costs. “I live sparingly on the road” – says Maik as he gives up the curry sausage for 8 Euros at the gas station and instead cooks himself. He earns less than 30,000 Euros a year, not too much for him, but he goes on. “After all, it’s his job” – we read in FAZ.
And you? Would you complain if you were in Maik’s shoes?
Photo: Trans.INFO
