The most reliable truck drivers in Hungary come from India

More and more truck drivers from India or other non-European countries are working in Hungary.

The CEO of the Hungarian transport company Waberer’s told Telex in an interview that their most reliable truck drivers were Indians. Although the country has completely different driving habits and language differences can also be problematic, many truck drivers come from India or other countries across Asia and Africa.

Labour shortage

There is currently a severe labour shortage in this sector across Europe. There are about half a million truck driver jobs vacant in Europe and at least 8,000 in Hungary. This is no coincidence, as there are many difficulties for people working in this type of job. Among other things, several weeks of absence from their families and constant loading work discourage newcomers. While companies offer high monthly salaries, the fact that the cost of a truck licence and the necessary exams can cost up to HUF 2 million (EUR 5081.36) in total may not be attractive for many, Telex reports.

However, in recent years, more and more professional drivers from non-European countries have been coming to Hungary. Zsolt Barna, CEO of Waberer’s, told Telex that there were several reasons for the growing number of foreign truck drivers in Hungary. Apart from Waberer’s, numerous other companies are currently looking for workers from India. He pointed out that a number of transport companies are cooperating with Bányai & Bányai Partners Consulting. With their help, Waberer’s has also been looking for foreign workers. In response to Telex’s inquiry, managing director Tibor Bányai said that they had already recruited Indian workers for several companies in Hungary, such as Magyar Suzuki Ltd. and TT Sped Ltd.

Female drivers to tackle labour shortages

According to recent industry news, female drivers will soon be coming to work in Hungary. The Danish company Baton Transport has recently launched its “Trucking for Equailty” programme, recruiting female drivers in India to work in Europe, including Hungary.

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Bányai told Telex that women applying to become truck drivers should have the same competencies as male candidates. He also stressed that it was not at all common for foreign workers to settle in Hungary. According to Bányai, the first group of female drivers from India is expected to arrive in May.

Reliable truck drivers

The CEO of Waberer’s said Indian truck drivers were as reliable as their Hungarian colleagues. Zsolt Barna, the CEO told Telex that his company was highly satisfied with its workers from India. He explained that they did their work precisely, kept the vehicles clean and drove fuel-efficiently. The CEO said that the latter also came with a wage supplement. Furthermore, he stressed that there was no difference in the wages paid to Hungarian and Indian employees.

Zsolt Barna and Sándor Székely, president of the European Trade Union of Cargo Carriers, agree that labour shortages cannot be completely solved by bringing in workers from abroad. Although the average monthly salary of truck drivers in the country is high, at HUF 800,000 (EUR 2,041), it is still below the European average. Many of them decide to go to work in another country after their contract expires. Székely also pointed out that they could not even fill the shortage with Hungarian drivers, as there had been no adequate vocational training for them in the country for years.

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Source: telex.hu