| Author (Person) | Banks, Martin |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.7, No.38, 18.10.01, p26 |
| Publication Date | 18/10/2001 |
| Content Type | News |
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Date: 18/10/01 By The European Union has been urged to put the brakes on the rising death toll of lorry and bus drivers on Europe's roads. Deregulation of road transport has seen a "downward spiral" in the working conditions and safety of thousands of truck and bus drivers, according to the European Transport Workers' Federation. The organisation, which represents transport unions across Europe, says the industry is characterised by "dangerously" excessive working hours with small operators vying for business at any cost. The federation is calling on transport ministers to reaffirm the principle of a 48-hour week, limit night work to eight hours and include self-employed drivers in future laws. Doro Zinke, the federation's general secretary, said the need for urgent action was highlighted by the European Commission's white paper on European transport policy for 2010, which reports that more than 1,000 bus and lorry drivers are killed doing their job each year. Representatives of the Council of Ministers and European Parliament are currently holding conciliation talks aimed at reaching a compromise on the working time directive for the road transport industry. The federation also wants compulsory professional training for truck drivers and a new driving and rest time regulation included in the directive. It pressed home its demands when representatives met Isabelle Durant, President of the Council of Transport Ministers, in Luxembourg on 16 October. After the meeting, Mr Zinke said: "For years, road transport workers have been faced with political 'lip service' by decision-makers pretending to improve working conditions and road safety of lorry drivers. "But when it comes to concrete decisions, they bow to corporate interest. We are now calling on EU transport ministers to show that they take road safety and better working conditions seriously." The European Union has been urged to put the brakes on the rising death toll of lorry and bus drivers on Europe's roads. |
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| Subject Categories | Mobility and Transport |
