COVID-19: Frank Moreels’ Open Letter to Europe and its Leaders
Frank Moreels, president of European Transport Workers’ Federation, is urging European leaders to take heed as the COVID-19 crisis further exposes the cracks in the foundation of the transport industry.
Transport workers are keeping Europe moving during a full worldwide pandemic. What they are asking for is not applause, they are asking for concrete action.
At the moment, truck drivers are blocked all over Europe, with no access to facilities, while employers are ignoring their obligations to protect workers’ health and safety. Workers are being sent back home in cramped vehicles, and 3rd country nationals are being left on the roads of Europe to fend for themselves. The crisis has laid bare the already critical issues of European transport.
This is a wake-up call! When this crisis is over, we cannot go back to business-as-usual.
What needs to emerge from this crisis is an idea for a European alliance for solidarity. A European space where social rights and labour protection are as high on the agenda as free movement of goods and people.
The statement is available in EN, FR and NL for download at your right:
