In Summary
Road transport in the EU employs millions of professional bus, coach and freight drivers.
However, the sector struggles with a shortage of labour. Unfriendly work schedules, inadequate rest conditions, weekends away from home and poor levels of pay fail to meet the expectations of today’s job seekers. For all these reasons, young people and women think twice before choosing to work in the sector.
There is a vast legal frame that regulates the road transport activities, but controls and enforcement lag behind. We expect that the newly adopted Mobility Package – a massive revision of EU rules in road transport – will contribute to improving working conditions for professional drivers across Europe.
The ETF Road Transport Sector is committed to building a fair future for the road transport industry by campaigning for better enforcement, fairer working conditions and a more sustainable and dynamic sector.
Latest news about road transport
View allDriver Safety Takes Centre Stage: ETF Marks Successful Driver Fatigue Action Day
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and its affiliates marked Driver Fatigue Action Day on June 21, 2025, as part of a broader series of successful coordinated actions carried out throughout the week and beyond. Trade unions across Europe organised activities to draw attention to one of the most pressing safety challenges in European road transport.
Every day is the longest day for drivers: ETF and ITF mark Drivers’ Fatigue Action Day on 21 June
To mark the longest day of the year, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), with the support of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), is once again shining a light on a crisis that doesn’t end with daylight: driver fatigue. On 21 June, ETF and its affiliates will organise coordinated actions across Europe to raise awareness of fatigue in road freight and passenger transport, and to call for safe rates for all drivers.
ETF and IRU call on EU Commissioner to Shed Light on Posted Driver Pay
The ETF co-signed a letter with the IRU voicing once again concerns about the lack of complete information on remuneration levels in the EU Member States. This prevents drivers from checking whether they have been paid correctly for the full range of their activities and prevents trade unions from supporting drivers’ pay claims.