Europe faces a systematic shortage of HGV drivers – thanks to a sector defined by low pay and poor conditions. The only answer to the current crisis is moving the road transport sector to one where drivers are paid fairly and work under good conditions, protected by fair rules.

July 8 marks the day the European Parliament adopted the Mobility Package one year ago, which sets out new rules on professional drivers’ working conditions in EU freight and passenger road transport.

End of 2020, seven Member States – Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Romania – challenged the Mobility Package in court. 15 court cases were opened against the Council and the European Parliament who in July last year adopted the Package with a large majority. Such action just goes to show how important this Package is, in restoring social and economic fair play in the road transport sector which for decades had been ripped apart by social fraud, human slavery and unfair competition between operators.

ETF welcomes the legal guide on driving and rest time rules and applauds the European Commission’s stance in favour of the improvement of working conditions in the sector, fair competition between operators and road safety for all road users.

Today, provisions relating to the driving and rest time rules of the Mobility Package start to apply. On this important occasion, the ETF has prepared a first trade union practical guide, an overview of the changes brought on by the new provisions.