GLOBAL SAFE RATES CAMPAIGN

Crisis on our roads

#saferatessavelives

The road transport industry is in crisis. Extreme competition, informality, and business models based on excessive subcontracting, cost cutting and illegal practices are pushing workers to the brink. Drivers are forced to work extremely long hours, drive while fatigued, speed, overload their vehicles, and skimp on maintenance to meet ends meet, increasing the risks of accident and making road transport one of the deadliest industries in the world. 

By setting fair and safe standards for driver pay and conditions and making all road transport industry actors accountable, Safe Rates are the foundation for reversing this situation and creating a safe and sustainable industry. 

What are Safe Rates? 

Guaranteeing Safe Rates mean drivers are paid fairly for all the time they work, allowing them to make enough money to drive safely and support their families. If drivers own their own vehicles, Safe Rates are calculated to ensure that they can cover the cost of purchasing, maintaining, and operating them. Safe Rates can be guaranteed through multistakeholder agreements, or legal regulatory systems which:

  • Set standards for pay and conditions that are fair and equal for all drivers
  • Hold all industry stakeholders accountable, including the companies at the top road transport supply chains and platform companies
  • Include strong provisions on monitoring and enforcement
  • Involve unions in the process of setting, monitoring, and enforcing standards. 

Internationally recognised 

Adopted by union, government, and employer representatives in 2019 at the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Guidelines on the Promotion of Decent Work and Road Safety in the Transport Sector  (ILO Road Transport Guidelines) recognise the link between good jobs and safety, and call on ILO member states to implement, and all road transport industry stakeholders to comply with Safe Rates systems and principles.

Find out more and get involved with an ITF affiliate campaigning for Safe Rates by filling out this form or writing to saferates@itf.org.uk

 

 

Get Involved
Our Demands
We call on governments and all road transport industry stakeholders to work with ITF and its affiliates to implement the following plan.
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How to Campaign
The ITF’s Safe Rates Campaign Manual and Toolkit can assist you in winning Safe Rates systems and agreements.
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The Evidence
Various studies have found that 1 percent higher pay can reduce truck driver crashes from between 1 to 3 percent.
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Get in Touch
Want to get involved or learn more? Whether you're a driver, union official, or supporter, use this form to get in touch.
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Safe Rates Explained

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Statement to Members Year End 2025

Statement to members following the annual return of the International Transport Workers Federation for the year ended 31st December 2025, in accordance with Section 32A of the UK Trade Union and

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