Transport entrepreneurs should be prepared for new European legislation from 2 February. That is far too early, argues TLN. In fact, almost all member states still need months to transpose these directives into national legislation. The industry association argues for a delay, or at least leniency in compliance and control.
Mobility Package, as the package of new European rules is called, should ensure a level playing field in EU member states. One of the rules is the new Posting of Workers Directive, which means that drivers from another EU country receive the same remuneration for their work as colleagues in the host country. According to TLN, as many as 26 member states are not ready to transpose this directive into national legislation. According to the industry association, preparations by entrepreneurs and governments should go hand in hand.
Ideally, all member states should be ready to transpose the directives into legislation at the same time. Otherwise, there is a risk of a patchwork of regulations. As long as member states have not yet implemented the directives, enforcement is not in order and no clear wage information can be found for each country, TLN says the question is what is reasonably expected of the new rules and their enforceability. For example, the system made available from Europe for operators to register the wages of their drivers in different countries only became available at the end of January.
TLN expects the rules from the Mobilty Package to cause cost increases.For international transport companies driving with dozens or sometimes hundreds of drivers in different countries, there will be additional administrative burdens. The mandatory return of vehicles - another rule from the Mobility Package - is also expected to lead to extra organisational costs and increase the risk of empty driving.
