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No backtracking over rest time rules for coach drivers says ETF
13 February 2008
The ITF’s European arm, the ETF, is calling on European Union institutions not to bow to pressure from employers to cut coach drivers’ rest periods.
In a statement released on 12 February, the ETF said that European legislation on driving and rest times for drivers undertaking occasional international tours must be maintained and fully implemented. These rules establish that minimum weekly rest periods for drivers should be taken at the end of six consecutive working days at the latest. Previously, employers could ask international coach tour drivers to work for 12 consecutive days before taking a break.
However, the International Road Transport Union (IRU), representing the employers in the sector, has been calling for a reinstatement of the 12-day driving period rule. This, the IRU claims, is “in the interest of a sustainable and prosperous coach industry and European tourism.”
In a recent report on an EU tourism policy, MEPs called on the European Commission to look into the possibility of reintroducing the 12-day rule for round trips. The issue will be raised at a council meeting with EU transport ministers.
“An amendment of this type will be absolutely resisted by transport trade unions”, declared ETF General Secretary Eduardo Chagas.
“The ETF is demanding better enforcement of the regulation. It is unacceptable that member states, after transposing the European legislation into their national laws, should decide not to apply certain aspects of these rules”, added ETF Political Secretary for the Road Transport Section, Beatrice Hertogs.
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