Transport group says German buses, trains depend on Syrian drivers

The public transport sector has added its voice to the current debate in Germany as to whether Syrian refugees should return to their country of origin, following 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 Syrian workers are vital to keeping their operations and keep the country's trains and buses running.

"We cannot do without them in many areas," said Ingo Wortmann, in response to a query from dpa

He added that in public transport alone, around 2,000 Syrians work nationwide in driving services. If they were to leave Germany, it would exacerbate the already existing staff shortages in the industry.

Wortmann called demands from Jens Spahn, a top conservative Christian Democratic Union politician, to repatriate Syrians following the fall of the Assad regime, political grandstanding.

"We harm Germany as a business location if people who want to work here cannot stay with us."