In Russia will toughen requirements to drivers of taxis and buses

20 September 2018

Have a conviction — no right to control public transport

In a short time in Russia may change the requirements for taxi drivers and buses. The Russian tripartite Commission on regulation socially-labour relations has approved the draft Federal law introducing amendments to Chapter 51 of the labour code, which regulates the labour of transport workers.

Among other things, the legislators are going to introduce a new article "the Right to engage in activities directly related to management of vehicles". It will tighten the requirements for drivers. For example, a person with outstanding or unwithdrawn conviction for grave and especially grave crimes will not be able to become taxi drivers, buses, trams and trolleybuses.

Among serious and very serious crimes that this prohibition is proposed to establish in the case of the occurrence of crimes against persons, including crimes against: life and health, freedom, honor and dignity (except illegal hospitalization in a medical organization providing psychiatric care in inpatient and slander), sexual inviolability and sexual freedom, against family and minors.

Also not to be a taxi driver those who have committed crimes against public security, public health and public morals, traffic safety and transport operation, of the constitutional order and state security, the peace and security of mankind. These categories cover a wide range of offences, from the illegal acquisition, possession and manufacture of narcotic drugs to the hostage-taking, genocide and international terrorism.

This initiative is a logical and commendable that those who are responsible for the safety of passengers must be clean before the law. In addition, many of these crimes do not tally with the image of a law-abiding citizen who can be trusted with people's lives. But who and how will monitor the implementation of this law?