Road Transport’s simplification package must not weaken workers’ rights

Simplification is a key priority for the European Commission. As part of this effort, the Commission is preparing a transport simplification package aimed at reducing administrative burdens and reporting obligations.

ETF’s message to the Commission is clear: simplification must not weaken workers’ rights, social protections or working conditions. Instead, it should deliver smarter tools that better protect workers, support labour inspectorates and strengthen the enforcement of existing road transport rules.

For ETF, real simplification means better enforcement, fair competition and equal treatment across the sector, not deregulation. The debate must also consider the upcoming revision of the ELA mandate, which should strengthen cross-border enforcement in road transport. ETF expects stronger action against abuses linked to posting, unpaid wages and social dumping, as well as better sharing of best practices between Member States to ensure equal protection for all drivers and all vehicle categories. 

ETF demands for the European Commission:

• Maintain all current requirements laid down in the EU legal framework for road transport
• Introduce a clear requirement for the use – by road operators – of digital documents, particularly those documents which are key to the enforcement of EU social and market rules
• Digitalise the journey form required for occasional passenger transport
• Maintain the timesheets
• Ban cash wage payments
• Remote Tachograph Monitoring (RTM) should complement but not replace systematic and random roadside checks
• Create a sector-specific remuneration tool in road transport

Please find the full position with explanations here.

In this context, ETF stands ready to engage with the Commission to ensure that any simplification proposals protect workers, support labour inspectorates and strengthen the enforcement of existing road transport rules.