- The employer ultimately is responsible for maintenance and safety of the equipment. If the tires are bald, the brakes don't work and the truck a death trap, who's fault is that? No matter how slow you drive, something is going to happen.
- It's easy to say that the driver should bring forward safety concerns regarding the truck to the attention of the company. However, many of the drivers come to this country from a culture where the employee is subservient. Don't ask questions, just do as you are told. The drivers do have a responsibility to bring safety concerns forward, but ...
- many are so grateful for employment so they can send home cash to their families, are they going to risk that by antagonising their employer?
- The drivers probably had "professional" training here in Doha in order to get their license. With the need for labor, I'd be interested in the quality of the driver training itself.
- Safety training would help. But I think literacy and general education are also necessary so the training is understood and implemented. Why expect someone who has not driven a car, let alone a big truck, to understand all the intricacies of driving a big rig without help?
- I've heard my students on several occassions state that if labor don't like it here and don't like the conditions, etc, go home. For many of us, it is better here. Can it be better? Absolutely. But the type of change that will make a big difference in safety starts with the employer, not with the employee.
- I have to give credit to the authorities - there are improvements in safety and in enforcement. I'm sure in our own western home countries change was just as measured and incremental as it needs to be here.
I'm really bothered by the anti-driver comments:
- The employer ultimately is responsible for maintenance and safety of the equipment. If the tires are bald, the brakes don't work and the truck a death trap, who's fault is that? No matter how slow you drive, something is going to happen.
- It's easy to say that the driver should bring forward safety concerns regarding the truck to the attention of the company. However, many of the drivers come to this country from a culture where the employee is subservient. Don't ask questions, just do as you are told. The drivers do have a responsibility to bring safety concerns forward, but ...
- many are so grateful for employment so they can send home cash to their families, are they going to risk that by antagonising their employer?
- The drivers probably had "professional" training here in Doha in order to get their license. With the need for labor, I'd be interested in the quality of the driver training itself.
- Safety training would help. But I think literacy and general education are also necessary so the training is understood and implemented. Why expect someone who has not driven a car, let alone a big truck, to understand all the intricacies of driving a big rig without help?
- I've heard my students on several occassions state that if labor don't like it here and don't like the conditions, etc, go home. For many of us, it is better here. Can it be better? Absolutely. But the type of change that will make a big difference in safety starts with the employer, not with the employee.
- I have to give credit to the authorities - there are improvements in safety and in enforcement. I'm sure in our own western home countries change was just as measured and incremental as it needs to be here.