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Indian cabbies set to outnumber Oz-born drivers for first time ever: Study

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ANI Sydney

Indian cabbies are reportedly said to outnumber Australian-born drivers, a new study has revealed.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed that Australian-born workers make up less than half of all workers in low-paying, manual professions like sewing machine operators and clothing trades workers.

However the most popular country of birth of automobile drivers, made up of cabbies and chauffeurs, is set to be overpowered by Indians in the country in the next year, news.com.au reports.

CEO of the Australian Taxi Industry Association, Blair Davies said that English being Indian driver's second language, it was easier for them to not really be engaged in the banter and the communication that is expected of an Australian-born driver, which might have frustrated some Australians.

 

The President of one of the country's Australian Indian Associations, Dr Yadu Singh also recognises that the traditional Indian approach to service has not always worked well in Australia's taxis.

The report said that the rise in Indian taxi drivers is partly attributed to Australia's success in attracting Indian students to its education system, who want to make a bit of money on the side.

The ABS Census indicated that between 2006 and 2011, Australian-born automobile drivers, made up of taxi and chauffeur drivers, declined by around 1400, while Indian-born drivers increased by more than 4000, the report added.

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First Published: Nov 24 2013 | 10:45 AM IST

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