Abu Dhabi: Humaid Al Qutami, Minister of Education, and Musabeh Al Katbi, a member from Sharjah, suggested that more Emiratis should work as bus drivers.
 
Only 200 out of 7,000 such jobs are occupied by citizens, according to Al Katbi, who said he sees no problem whatever that Emiratis be placed in this job.

Eliminated

“On the contrary,  our students will be safer with Emirati bus drivers than any other drivers and physical and sexual assault can be reduced or eliminated,” Al Katbi said.

Al Qutami, also head of the Emirates Transport Services, said plans to Emiratise this job were hampered by citizens’ unwillingness to apply or take it up.

“The Emirates Transport Services spares no effort to train and recruit Emiratis and offer them almost triple the salaries given to foreigners,” Al Qutami said.

Al Qutami explained that citizens account for 43 per cent or 1,661 employees and 1,197 bus attendants in Emirates Transport.