Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-02-02-Speech-4-025"
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"en.20060202.4.4-025"2
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".
Mr President, in the past, it was possible for Member States to regulate safety on the roads and the safety of workers in road transport, each in their own different way. In their fight to constantly improve this protection, interest groups were knocking on national legislators’ doors. These days, there is far more international freight traffic, covering hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of miles. This turns the differences between national regulations into a nuisance factor in the competitive struggle.
Companies that get their workers to work long shifts appear to be in a strong position. In many cases, they do not take into consideration the fact that this advantage is cancelled out by accidents whereby human lives, vehicles and cargo are destroyed or lost altogether. In many cases, centralised decision-making does not benefit organisations that want to protect these jobs, the environment and safety. Above all, it strengthens the position of those who, despite public opinion, want to emphasise corporate interests, entrepreneurial freedom and unbridled economic growth. That is also evident in driving and resting times.
Workers can be forced to work in excess of their driving hours. Smaller lorries for express services are exempt, which means that instead of a 12-hour break, they are only entitled to an 11-hour break. Compliance is still not monitored adequately. Better legislation could have already been in place and will need to be put on the agenda once again in the near future. Serious consideration will also need to be given to the new problem of companies in some Member States not compensating their staff for compulsory resting times or reimburse them for essential expenses incurred for accommodation. In the short term, this compromise represents a minor improvement, especially since it will also apply to lorries from countries outside of the European Union, and also in view of the fact that the digital tachograph is easier to monitor. That is a reason, despite serious objections, to give a positive verdict."@en1
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