Social dumping, illegal cabotage, inadequate and missing parking – a recent study illustrates the many problems in European road freight transport.
 
A study commissioned by the European Parliament Transport Committee (Tran) has compiled the current problems of the European road haulage sector with regard to social and working conditions. According to truck drivers, wages (28% of mentions), working hours (25%) and working environment (21%) have deteriorated the most in recent years. Availability and safety of parking lots, properly trained drivers and general working conditions follow in the other places.
 
Lack of EU-wide harmonization of social legislation.
 
Illegal and unfair working conditions that lead to social dumping, as well as the lack of implementation of valid rules and too few controls, are generally referred to as the areas where improvements are urgently needed. Other problems include the lack of alignment of social legislation in the EU Member States, illegal cabotage, the quality of parking  and rest areas, as well as the relationship between driving times and rest periods.
 
Tran had commissioned the study in order to be better able to work on the proposals of the European Commission from the mobility package on the basis of the results. The Mobility Package proposes changes to road haulage to make competition in this industry fairer across Europe than it does today, while also helping to ensure the free movement of the EU single market.
 
The next TRAN meeting will take place on Thursday 9 November, full report available after the meeting