The EU has taken a major step towards better working conditions for truck drivers after the European Parliament (EP) voted in favour of the mobility package. MEP’s will now negotiate a compromise with European transport ministers and the European Commission to put a stop to driver exploitation, letterbox companies and unfair pay. So far it is not clear whether the legislative package can be finalised in this legislative period. The EPDA see the vote as a very positive step.

The vote was also important because previously Eastern Europe MEP’s had repeatedly tried to block new legislation in Parliament. For example, the rules for the vote were questioned and more than 1,000 amendments had been tabled to the package. Countries such as Romania and Bulgaria assumed that the priority was to enforce Western European interests to reduce their competitiveness. The transport industry has a considerable share of the gross domestic product. In particular, the German social democrat Ismail Ertug had made intensive efforts in the EP to reach a compromise, which ultimately came about with conservative support.

The possibilities of social dumping are contained by the decision, but not completely stopped. In the future, there will be exceptions to the application of the Posting of Workers Directive. The overnight in the driver’s cab is prohibited, but can be bypassed by a waiver of the driver, also rest areas could self-certify, so that the night in the cab is possible. This is something that drivers will have to be made clear on when the actual regulations are published. 
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