Govt car drivers seek other jobs

Prospective buyers inspect more than 100 government cars up for online auctions on Feb 10 in Shenyang, a northeastern city in Liaoning province. Reform on the use of government cars and anti-graft regulations have resulted in the reduction of government cars and a growing trend of chauffeurs changing jobs.[Photo/Xinhua]

The reform on the use of government cars and anti-graft regulations have resulted in a growing trend of government car drivers changing jobs, Legal Weekly reported on Wednesday.

The report said that the drivers, who used to rely on under-the-table pay, no longer enjoy the perks of being the personal drivers of government leaders, and therefore change jobs.

Sun Rui, who used to drive for the Hunan provincial government, was quoted as saying that to make money as a government driver, one needs "social skills", not driving skills.

He said there are always people who want to give gifts or money to the officials through their drivers.

"In situations like these, we need to discern which gift can be accepted and which cannot."

He said that only those who understand the hidden rules and are good in social situations are given a chance for promotion.

The report said that the drivers'fixed income is only 400 yuan higher than the minimum wage in Hunan province. The drivers, in most cases, rely on "gray income", including gifts and vehicle maintenance fees.

However, the report said that lack of supervision on maintenance fees leaves a loophole for the drivers to seek other means to make money.

The report gave an example of Xu Minghui, a former government car driver in Yueyang, Hunan province, who was sentenced to four years in prison for embezzling maintenance fees.

The State Council banned the personal use of government cars in anti-graft regulations issued in November 2013.

Many cars have been auctioned and drivers have become more interested in finding other work, the report said.