Brussels Airport taxi drivers unhappy about mandatory Dutch proficiency

A planned measure to make taxi drivers who serve Brussels Airport pass a Dutch-language test has drawn criticism from the sector.

Taxi drivers are looking into legal action regarding the mandatory test, calling it “disproportionate”, Le Soir reports.

Almost 300 drivers say they feel threatened by the requirement for B1 fluency to operate in Flanders.

“We risk having a shortage of drivers, and that's a crucial problem for us as we're close to linguistic borders,” said the manager of taxi company Autolux, which is based in Molenbeek.

“Driving is a job that puts people in work, and you have to understand that these people don't always have the knowledge right away.”

The administration of Flemish mobility minister Lydia Peeters explained that the decision was part of a broad plan to make taxis more attractive to the market.

“It's important to be able to order a taxi in Dutch, and to have contact with a driver who expresses himself well,” a spokesperson said.

“Having a good level of Dutch is useful for agreeing on the price, the route or the destination.”