KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- To reduce accidents involving commercial vehicles, it will soon be mandatory for drivers of such vehicles to undergo training and retraining courses under a Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB) programme.

For the time being however, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said, the priority was for bus drivers as they involved passengers.

"I understand that PSMB is working closely with the Transport Ministry to ensure the training and retraining of commercial drivers, particularly bus drivers, so that we can reduce the rate of accidents," he told reporters Friday, after opening Wisma PSMB, here.

Currently, there are about 700,000 commercial drivers in the country, including lorry and truck drivers. Fong said under the programme, all bus drivers must undergo the retraining course every year, to improve their driving skill.

He said the companies could utilise the levy they paid to PSMB, to pay for the retraining of their drivers.

"As the training and retraining are compulsory for all commercial drivers, including those from small companies who are not required to register with PSMB, the Cabinet has decided to use the Transport Trust Fund to pay for these drivers.

"However, drivers are required to pay a nominal fee of RM100," he added.

Under the PSMB Act, it is not compulsory for companies with less than five workers to register with PSMB, while those who registered must pay levy of one percent from the total monthly salaries of their local workers.

The levy will be used by PSMB to provide training and retraining programmes for skilled workers of these companies.

Besides transport companies, PSMB also requires companies in the manufacturing sector to register with them.