Lodewijk Asscher goes a step further in the fight against sham constructions in the transport sector. At present, many drivers from Eastern Europe are still driving around for very low rates. The deputy prime minister has now submitted a law that will make not only employers, but also principals liable if they do business with a transport company that pays wages that are too low.
The Chain Liability Act still needs to be approved by the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament, but Asscher expects that the law will probably be in force this summer. Trade union FNV is pleased with the new legislation and yesterday named the deputy prime minister on the truck with it. The union handles many cases of non-compliance with the collective labour agreement every year and hopes the law will have a preventive effect. "We expect that because of this law, rates will go up slightly and the sector will become healthy again," said Egon Groen, collective bargaining officer of FNV Transport and Logistics.
Transport companies receive too low rates
Officially, companies are already allowed to hire workers working below the collective wage. Yet many employers manage to circumvent this law. According to FNV, companies still refuse to hire drivers at normal wages, simply because they too are paid very low rates by clients. By now holding these principals liable as well, they may still receive an aftercharge.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
Image: Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
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