Search among immigrants to find new drivers

In the European Union, ten percent of truck drivers are immigrants from third countries, amid a driver shortage that is becoming increasingly severe. This was underlined by the world road transport organization IRU at the Conference on Migration in Vienna. Therefore, alongside actions to attract young people and women to this profession, a complementary solution must be implemented: "facilitate the access of qualified third-country drivers from countries with a surplus of professional drivers to help fill the gap".

To implement this program, explained Patrick Philipp, director of Certification and Standards at the IRU, "we must better harmonize professional skills to ensure that any driver, from any country, can demonstrate high standards of safety and efficiency in transport operations". The organization is already implementing various initiatives to facilitate access to community trucks by drivers from third countries.

In early 2023, the IRU and the International Transport Workers' Federation launched a three-point plan to better balance national labor pools between those with a surplus and those with a deficit of driver talent. The plan outlines actions for the United Nations, national governments, and industry. Another initiative that seeks to better harmonize the skills of professional drivers is led by the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP). In this context, training is being strengthened in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.