"IF I meet with an accident, mati katak-lah" (instant death).

That is the thought that haunts one particular driver every time he gets behind the wheel.

The man, who declines to be named, said one of the things that worries him the most about being classified as a contract driver in the haulage company he works for is that he is not entitled to any accident benefits.

"Accident benefits are the most important thing to a person in my line of work. If I fall sick, I have to pay my own medical expenses."

He says his company has about 30 prime movers, and most of the drivers work from about 8.30am to midnight every day.
His schedule is a little different. Working 24-hour shifts, he has to come in every alternate day.

"I get paid on a 'per trip' basis, which means I have to chase time. If I delay, I make less."

He says the company he works for also rips off its drivers by paying them a percentage of the tariff for a 20-foot container even when they transport 40-foot containers.

This, despite the fact that the company itself charges double for the larger container.

"I've compared salaries with my friends who are classified as 'employees'. Our salaries are about the same, but they get benefits on top of that.

"I feel like a foreign worker sometimes, seeing as how I don't enjoy any of the benefits most Malaysians get."

He said he would not be hanging around long at the company he joined three months ago.

"I've already made up my mind to scoot after Deepavali."

And does he feel like the businessman his contract terms him as? Does he feel like a lofty independent contractor instead of a simple driver?

He laughs sadly. "I'm not a businessman or a contractor. I just work for them as a driver."