decent work

The European waterborne transport sector should be considered a strategic and key asset. It is just one of the conclusions the ETF underlines in the recently published final report of the EU-funded project "A fair and sustainable waterborne transport in Europe". The report assesses the current state of water transport employment in Europe, links it to water transport governance and provides recommendations for reform.

It's time for the Council of the EU to agree on a mandate on the Platform Work Directive that will protect the employment rights of millions of app-based transport workers, including ride-hail drivers and food delivery riders! ETF, ITF and their affiliates are calling on the Council to hammer out a deal so that trilogue negotiations with the European Commission, Council and Parliament can finally begin.

Unions are ready to negotiate, but are e-commerce companies ready? This year’s best Black Friday deal would be one where e-commerce companies sit down and talk to unions about providing dignity at work for the millions of warehouse and delivery workers working around the clock this 25 November.

The European Commission is working on a proposal for the revision of driving and rest time rules in occasional passenger transport that could result in more consecutive days of driving and postponement of rest, which will have a negative effect on drivers and road safety.

ETF warns against opening the EU labour market to third-country nationals without first fixing the lack of decent work in the transport industry. To do so otherwise is an open invitation for further exploitation of transport workers.

European social partners in rail, ETF and CER, issued a joint declaration, expressing gratitude to railway workers who worked throughout the pandemic and recognising the key role the sector can play in a green and social future.

In light of Digital Transport Days taking place on 18 November, ETF Maritime team has published a paper on the future of waterborne transport. ETF’s vision of a fair and sustainable future of waterborne transport shows that there is an alternative to the current business practices in the sectors.