Following
following Germany’s example, France also intends to introduce a minimum wage for
lorrie drivers and barge operators who are temporarily driving or sailing in France. France aims to
thereby prevent French workers from losing their jobs due to the mass
use of cheap labour from Eastern Europe.
Currently
a foreign haulier can, within seven days of the first delivery of
goods three more domestic trips of cabotage on French territory
carry out (loading and unloading). This is to be banned in the future.
It is still unclear when the minimum wage will be introduced.
For
Dutch haulage companies doing business in France, the new
measure will primarily mean more administrative work. They must, in fact, be able to demonstrate at all times
that the drivers they employ are actually earning the French
minimum wage.
The new French legislation follows shortly after Germany made the minimum wage mandatory for foreign drivers. Since January, all drivers delivering in Germany must be paid the minimum wage. This also applies to temporary agency workers. At first, the rule also applied to drivers who were in transit and did not have to stop in Germany, but that rule has now been suspended.
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