Taiwan raises language requirements for foreign bus drivers

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Foreign and overseas graduates from universities in Taiwan looking for work as bus drivers will now face tougher language requirements.

The Highway Bureau launched the plan for international recruitment because city bus services faced a shortage of 1,367 drivers, while long-range buses needed 661 drivers. However, the project faces the challenge of the language ability of the candidates.

As a result, the bureau proposed to the Ministry of Labor that the requirement for the drivers should be raised from just basic to a more advanced language ability. The minimum salary was set at NT$50,000 (US$1,580) per month for bus drivers and at NT$43,000 for freight truck drivers.

The proposal was originally launched in March, aiming to attract foreign and overseas graduates to job categories facing shortages. The types of transportation jobs include intercity and city bus drivers, intercity and city bus safety management staff, freight truck drivers and driving assistants.

Given doubts about the project, the Highway Bureau asked the Ministry of Transportation to adjust some of the plan’s details. The Ministry of Education and the National Immigration Agency came up with the suggestions for tougher Mandarin requirements. The candidates will also need to take extra classes related to driving or submit a professional driving certificate, the bureau said.