A bumpy road for EU mobility and road transport drivers

Today the European Parliament voted on the first EU mobility package and did not support the exclusion of international transport operations (transit, bi-lateral and cross-trade) from the posting of workers rules, returning the whole package back to the committee. The debate in the European Parliament seems to have gone very emotional rather than practical. 

BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer commented: “We deeply regret that rules with regard to the international transport operations are not addressed properly to safeguard the competitiveness of European industry and job creation, and no clear decision was taken. Decision-makers need to look closer at the implications of such a direction, both in terms of competitiveness and fair play in the sector. 

International transport operations are crucial for the seamless functioning of the value chains. Therefore, we now reiterate a call on the co-legislators to take a balanced and practical approach to have enforceable solutions that do not hinder competitiveness. The freedom of movement in the Single Market cannot be put at risk. 

European businesses support the efforts in designing the rules that would both foster efficiency and innovation in transport solutions and ensure the necessary level-playing field with adequate social conditions for the employed in the sector.” 

It is important to understand that this exclusion on a specific operation relates to the drivers who simply cross different countries due to the mobile nature of international transport operations, without executing their entire operation in the country of destination alone.