An estimated 200,000 Sikhs in trucking industry account for more than 18% of all truck drivers in the US.
“If you bought it, a truck brought it,” – If you have lived in America, you would realize the truth behind this adage!
An interesting fact is that nearly every single thing consumed in the country – from grocery to garments to concrete to cosmetics — have been out on a truck at some time.
Trucks are responsible for the majority of all freight movement in America and that is why, the trucking industry remains the lifeblood of the US economy. In 2019 alone, the trucking industry hauled 72.5% of all freight transported in the US amounting to about 11.84 billion tons.
Interestingly Sikhs from India have made inroads into the trucking industry in America like in perhaps no other business. According to some estimates over 200,000 Sikhs in trucking industry account for more than 18% of all truck drivers in the US.
READ MORE: Four Sikh truck drivers in California get $260,000 damages from J.B. Hunt for religious discrimination (November 16, 2016)
To underline the importance of the trucking business in the US, the American Trucking Show, an event where the local and national trucking community gets together to focus on the transportation industry in America is held annually.
The event, this year is happening at the Fresno Fairgrounds in Fresno, California on April 15-16. At a meet and greet event, the American Trucking Show leadership in conjunction with the North American Punjabi Trucking Association (NAPTA) will provide supporters of the American Trucking Show to discuss opportunities, and challenges facing the industry in the coming year.
Keeping in mind the number of Punjabi Americans employed in the US trucking industry, civil rights organization, the Sikh Coalition will be in Fresno, California, for the American Trucking Show.
Multiple Sikh Coalition officials will be on site to share their resources with attendees. An estimated 3,000-4,000 Sikh truckers may be in attendance at the event.
“Year after year, Punjabi Sikhs become a greater percentage of the American trucking workforce,” said Sahej Preet Singh, Sikh Coalition Community Development Manager.
“As the leading Sikh civil rights organization in the United States, the Sikh Coalition wants to make sure that Sikh truckers know what resources are available to protect their religious freedom, fight workplace discrimination, and keep them safe on the road.”
The Sikh Coalition said it has worked for the benefit of Sikh truckers on multiple occasions, including through pro bono legal services. In 2013, they settled an eight-year hiring discrimination case with corporate giant J.B. Hunt on behalf of four Sikh truckers.
“The Sikh Coalition is a strong ally to truckers from our community,” said Raman Dhillon, CEO of the North American Punjabi Trucking Association.
“We are proud of our increasing influence on this growing field of employment and critical components of US infrastructure. As we continue to fight together for policies that will further empower our truckers, the first step is knowing our rights.”