Seoul’s Quest for Foreign Bus Drivers Stalled by Visa Concerns
Passengers walk on a bus platform in central Seoul on Nov. 20. [NEWS1]
The Ministry of Employment and Labor has dashed Seoul’s hopes of addressing its bus driver shortage with foreign workers, citing challenges related to licensing, experience, and language barriers.
The ministry formally rejected the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s request to extend E-9 visa eligibility to bus drivers. The E-9 visa is currently available to non-professional employees in sectors like manufacturing, construction, and customer service.
A Labor Ministry official, speaking anonymously, explained the complexity of issuing E-9 visas for foreign bus drivers: “It’s difficult to issue E-9 visas specifically for drivers because labor contracts are finalized before they enter Korea. Typically, individuals who hold large vehicle driver licenses in their home countries need a year of apprenticeship to become qualified bus drivers here.”
The issuance of E-9 visas in this case would also necessitate the tricky task of recognizing foreign driver’s licenses as equivalent to Korean ones.
Further complicating matters, the enforcement decree of the Immigration Act excludes jobs requiring special licenses or prior work experience from E-9 visa eligibility.
The official emphasized the crucial role communication and crisis management play in public transportation: “Bus drivers need strong communication skills and the ability to handle emergencies effectively, as their duties directly impact public safety. Drivers constantly interact with passengers, requiring a level of fluency and responsiveness.”
Acknowledging the city government’s concerns, the official stated, “Greenlighting the request at this time would be challenging. This matter warrants careful long-term consideration.”
The Labor Ministry plans to formally document its stance next week and forward it to the Office for Government Policy Coordination, which initially received the city’s proposal and sought the ministry’s input.
Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo has publicly expressed skepticism about the city government’s plan, highlighting that “community bus drivers aren’t simply workers; they need considerable language proficiency and hold two licenses — one for large vehicles and one specifically for buses.”
The Korean Automobile and Transport Workers’ Federation has opposed the idea of relying on foreign workers, attributing the manpower shortage to low wages and demanding better working conditions to attract and retain domestic talent.
The Seoul city government, abiding by the central government’s decision, confirmed it would respect the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s judgment.
What specific safety concerns did the Ministry of Employment and Labor raise regarding foreign bus drivers in Seoul?
## Seoul’s Quest for Foreign Bus Drivers Stalled
**Intro Music**
**Host:** Welcome back to the program. Today we’re discussing the ongoing bus driver shortage in Seoul and the latest setback in the city’s efforts to recruit foreign workers. Joining us is Dr. Kim, a labor market expert at the Korea Labor Institute. Dr. Kim, thanks for being here.
**Dr. Kim:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** So, the Ministry of Employment and Labor has rejected Seoul’s proposal to allow foreign workers on E-9 visas to drive village buses. Can you break down the reasoning behind this decision?
**Dr. Kim:** The Ministry cited several concerns, primarily safety and legal ones. They highlighted the complexities of licensing and ensuring foreign drivers possess the necessary experience and skills to operate buses in Korea, particularly in challenging urban environments. [[1](http://koreabizwire.com/south-korea-labor-ministry-rejects-seouls-proposal-to-hire-foreign-drivers-for-village-buses/299201)]mentions legal concerns as well, though specifics were not provided.
**Host:** The article also mentions that the E-9 visa primarily caters to non-professional workers in sectors like manufacturing and customer service. Are there any existing visa categories that could be adapted to address this driver shortage?
**Dr. Kim:** That’s a good question. Unfortunately, there isn’t a readily available visa category that perfectly fits the requirements for bus drivers. The E-7 visa, designed for highly skilled professionals, could potentially be considered, but it typically caters to individuals with specialized expertise that goes beyond driving.
**Host:** So, what does this mean for Seoul’s efforts to tackle the bus driver shortage?
**Dr. Kim:** This rejection presents a significant setback, but it shouldn’t be viewed as a complete deadb end. The Ministry suggested that this be addressed as a long-term issue, possibly through legislative changes or the establishment of new visa categories specifically tailored to professional drivers. [[1](http://koreabizwire.com/south-korea-labor-ministry-rejects-seouls-proposal-to-hire-foreign-drivers-for-village-buses/299201)]
**Host:** Dr. Kim, thank you for sharing your insights.
**Dr. Kim:** My pleasure.
**Outro Music**
