VOI World/ Desk
Indian-origin truck drivers in Australia have spoken out about facing repeated incidents of racism, verbal abuse and even death threats while working in the country’s freight industry, highlighting concerns over discrimination despite the sector’s growing reliance on migrant workers.
According to an ABC News Australia report, several Sikh and Indian truckers described being subjected to racial slurs, harassment and intimidation on the job. One driver, Jaswinder Boparai, recalled being spat on at a truck stop in South Australia while speaking Punjabi to his wife over the phone, describing the incident as deeply humiliating.
Another driver, Narinder Singh, said he left Australia’s freight industry after just eight months, claiming he was mocked for wearing a turban and repeatedly told to “go back” despite having a decade of trucking experience in New Zealand. Other drivers reported hearing violent anti-Indian threats broadcast over citizens band (CB) radios, prompting many migrant workers to avoid using the communication channels altogether.
The report also pointed to racist memes targeting South Asian truck drivers circulating on social media, contributing to what workers described as a hostile work environment. Australia has increasingly relied on migrant workers, including many Indians, to address an estimated shortage of around 28,000 heavy vehicle drivers.
Experts told ABC that racism can affect drivers’ concentration and decision-making in an already demanding profession. Although racial discrimination is illegal in Australia, complaints remain relatively rare due to difficulties identifying offenders, language barriers and concerns that reporting incidents may not lead to meaningful action. The Australian Human Rights Commission said it is aware of racist conduct in the road freight sector and has received complaints from workers connected to the industry.
The accounts have renewed concerns over the safety and wellbeing of Indian-origin workers in Australia’s transport sector, where many Sikh and Punjabi migrants have built careers over the past decade.
