Flemish bus operator De Lijn wants to hire 600 new drivers this year.
De Lijn's General Director Ann Schoubs announced the company's intention to hire more drivers on Wednesday.
Schoubs highlighted that negotiations with the unions about current issues are ongoing. On Tuesday, trade unions filed a strike notice for 12 March. The action is in response to a reduction in services in parts of Flanders.
They also pointed out that being a driver has been a shortage occupation for years, both at De Lijn and its subcontractors.
Schoubs reiterated that De Lijn aims to hire 600 drivers by 2025.
"In recent years, we have been hiring around 700 to 800 drivers annually, and we mostly succeeded," she said. "We will certainly continue to attract more people this year."
'Unpleasant' conditions
Trade unions have also raised concerns about the impact of the current rosters. They argue that drivers often work "according to a fixed schedule that shifts from late to early [...] The lack of early shifts makes maintaining such a schedule increasingly difficult. Drivers will have to work more split shifts, evening shifts, and on Saturdays."
They added that these irregular working hours significantly affect drivers' personal lives and family dynamics.
Schoubs expressed understanding of these concerns on Wednesday, conceding that "it is unpleasant that the rosters are burdensome for the drivers."
She suggested that new, younger drivers at De Lijn, who often have young families, might receive fewer split shifts. She also emphasised that talks with the unions are ongoing and constructive.
