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ETF campaign against extended working hours for drivers pays off
14 May 2009
The ITF’s European arm, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), has applauded the European Parliament’s decision to reject a proposal on a revised working time directive for road transport. The decision follows a concerted campaign by the federation and its affiliates against extended hours.
Last Tuesday the European Parliament voted against a proposal, put forward by the European Commission, that aimed to lift any working time restrictions for self-employed professional drivers. The decision is set to have a number of benefits, including eliminating the prospect of an 86-hour working week for certain categories of professional driver and preventing social standards in the sector from reaching a new low. It will also enhance safety on European roads and safeguard the health and safety of all professional drivers.
The European Parliament decision is a victory for the ETF and its affiliates, which led a six-month campaign against the plans to abolish working time limits for some categories of driver.
“The ETF was fully determined to see the rejection of this proposal, which would have had an adverse impact on road safety and on the drivers’ profession. For us, there was no compromise on this issue. An 86-hour working week would have indeed been a false gift for self-employed drivers, but a real gift to some within the industry. Drivers are qualified professionals, whose skills are key to public safety on European roads. It’s about time their value was recognised!” said Eduardo Chagas, ETF general secretary.
The ETF and a trade union delegation led by Roberto Parrillo, president of the ETF road transport section, were present at the European Parliament session in Strasbourg, France on 5 May.
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