Transport for London’s plan to force would-be cabbies to pass a written English exam before they can work in in the city has triggered outrage among Uber drivers and campaign groups.
The rules, which only apply to people from certain countries where English is not the first language, are due to come into force on 1 October.
Campaigners say that while spoken English is important, a written test is unnecessary and discriminatory.
“While people should have a skillset, including language skills necessary to do their jobs, mandating an arbitrarily high level, or requiring written skills in a largely verbal job, is discriminatory and counterproductive,” said Chai Patel, the legal and policy director at the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants.
The race equality thinktank the Runnymede Trust said the requirements were too stringent. “We already have employment regulations that say skills, like speaking English, must be necessary to do the job. It is unclear why the new TfL test requirements for private hire drivers are higher than for bus or train drivers.
“Employment requirements should be in line with the skills that are necessary to successfully fulfil the role. Anything else would be indirect discrimination.”
About 3.45 million non-UK nationals work in Britain, according to quarterly figures from the Office for National Statistics, up 242,000 on last year.
Uber drivers said some workers who speak English well but have limited written skills could lose their livelihoods.
Muhammad Shah, 37, originally from Pakistan, said: “You don’t have to write a single word, so what’s the point? Some colleagues are supporting their families, but they fear they’ll lose their jobs … If you’re asking this for private hire, why not for builders or people working in cafes?”
He said the written test requirement was proposed in June, giving drivers little time to study before the rules come into force. “You have to do it slow-slow. They can’t ask you to pass this test in one month. If they want to do them they have to give time.”
Shah said it was unfair that the requirements applied to people from India and Pakistan, but not to those from a list of English-speaking countries including Jamaica, New Zealand and Australia.
“If you are asking people to do an English course you have to ask everyone, not just some nationalities. Some people hold a British passport but don’t speak English,” he said.
Indian-born Sandeep Kumar, 33, is a sales manager who drives for Uber as a second job to top up his income. He said colleagues could be prevented from working by the tests.
“If you’re living in this country you have to speak English. The problem is the written test. I’ve got a Romanian friend who speaks very well, everything correct. We understand each other. But I know he might have trouble with the written test. If it’s your first job and you don’t pass, then there is no money coming into the house.”
