South African bus drivers flock to Ireland amid EU shortage
South African bus drivers are increasingly migrating to Ireland to fill labor shortages in the European transport sector. Dublin Bus has actively recruited nearly 100 drivers due to shared licensing agreements and a common language.
Why it matters
This trend highlights the impact of aging workforces in the EU and the role of international labor migration in maintaining essential public services.
South African bus drivers are leaving in droves to seek greener pastures in Ireland, while the EU faces an acute shortage of drivers. And local truck drivers are set to follow suit.
Dublin Bus, the Irish state-owned bus operator providing services in Dublin, has led the charge in recruiting South African bus drivers, who are reportedly joining at a rate of six per week.
“Like other transport companies, Dublin Bus is operating in a tight labour market, with driver shortages in Ireland and across the EU . As part of our ongoing recruitment efforts, we have explored additional ways to recruit drivers, including recruiting from overseas,” a spokesperson for Dublin Bus told Business Times.
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