The MEPs meeting at the European Parliament's transport committee on Tuesday 20 March, again expressed significant differences at the debates on the amendments presented to the draft reports relating to the social aspects of the first “mobility” package.
There are three particularly sensitive issues in the European Commission proposals published on 31 May last (see EUROPE 11799): the posting of transport workers, cabotage and the working and rest times for lorry drivers. The amendments on these draft reports were drafted by Merja Kyllönen (GUE/NGL, Finland) (see EUROPE 11934), the late MEP Jens Nilsson (S&D, Sweden) (see EUROPE 11939) and Wim van de Camp (EPP, Netherlands) (see EUROPE 11935) respectively and revealed the persisting disagreements between MEPs.
Lorry drivers’ work and rest times/tachograph. Mr van de Camp acknowledged that the 492 amendments on this text revealed significant differences. Among the most sensitive points, the rapporteur referred to: the system applicable to light utility vehicles, specific legislation for bus and coach drivers, rest time spent in the cabin, the return to the workers' domicile, reduced rest times and the date of entry into force of the obligation to equip vehicles with smart tachographs. The controversial nature of these questions was confirmed during the main debates, particularly with regard to the difficulties involving reduced rest time and the tachograph.
The problem relating to the tachograph was also raised by several MEPs, who consider that supervising the regulation is just as important as the content of the rules.
Although a first meeting between the rapporteur and the shadow rapporteurs was held on 13 March, a second meeting will take place on 27 March, where the first amendments in the compromises will be presented. MEPs also praised the work done by the rapporteur, on the lines of the message sent out on 23 January last (see EUROPE 11945).
Posted workers. Discussions on the application of a regime to apply to posted workers in the transport field also revealed very significant differences. Ms Kyllönen recognised this by alluding to the “very divisive amendments”. Issues particularly highlighted include the threshold upon which the posted workers' rules apply (from 1 to 16 days as suggested by the amendments), despite the fact that some MEPs quite simply wanted to exclude international transport from the scope of application in the rules on postings and posted workers' rules with regard to cabotage.
Given the amendments submitted and the subsequent debates, the opposition between Western European countries on the one hand and countries from peripheral, central and eastern Europe on the other, is quite blatant. This confirmed the nature of the debates that took place between MEPs during the debate on 23 January (see EUROPE 11945).
The question of the smart tachograph, which involves the issue of control, was also discussed during these talks.
MEPs will now attempt to reach the necessary compromises and Ms Kyllönen is appealing for a “balance” between social protection and the effective functioning of the internal market through “intelligent, proportionate and justifiable rules”.
Cabotage. This dossier has assumed a quite particular dimension, following the sudden passing away of the rapporteur, Mr Nilsson, last week (see EUROPE 11980). MEPs at the transport committee paid homage to him, after having observed a minute's silence the day before. Given the circumstances, the planned debate on the amendments was postponed.
It should be pointed out that the reports are expected to be voted on during the transport committee on 24 May next. (Original version and French by Lucas Tripoteau)