Brussels, 14/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 14 May, a European day of action was organised by the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) to oppose further liberalisation of road transport as advocated by the European Commission over the next few months. The group of socialists and democrats at the European Parliament supported this protest by prioritising the application of the regulation currently in force (EC 1072/2009).
The European Commission is expected to present a review of the provisions before the summer or in September. These will relate to the domestic road transport market and in particular the restrictions relating to cabotage (three journeys out of seven working days in another domestic market). The ETF deplores the fact that the sector is not ready for any further liberalisation, while working conditions and wages are not equal throughout the EU (drivers in Eastern Europe earn up to ten times less than EU15 drivers). Instead of unbridled liberalisation, the unions are recommending improvements to the way existing legislation is applied.
This message is shared by the Belgian MEP, Saïd El Khadraoui, who supported the mobilisation of workers in the transport sector. He is recommending that “post-box” companies are controlled, driving and rest time better respected and that a European register of transport companies is set up. He explained that on a number of occasions he had already informed Commissioner Kallas that, “we are not envisaging any further opening up of the cabotage market”. He also hopes that the Commissioner will take into account the opinions of social democrats and will include in his proposals, “improved application and increased monitoring of the current rules on social legislation for road transport” (MD/transl.fl)