The public transport sector has added its voice to the current debate in Germany regarding whether Syrian refugees should return to their country of origin, after the overthrow of the Assad regime.
And like managers and union leaders in other sectors, the president of the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) said that Syrian workers are essential to keep their jobs and keep the country's trains and buses running.
“We cannot do without them in many areas,” said Ingo Wortmann, in response to a question from dpa
He said that around 2,000 Syrians work across the country in driving services in public transport alone. If they were to leave Germany, it would worsen the existing labor shortage in the industry.
Wortmann called the demands of Jens Spahn, the main politician of the Christian Democratic Union, to repatriate Syrians after the fall of the Assad regime, with political prestige.
“We will damage Germany as a business location if people who want to work here cannot stay with us.”
