Archives



Freight News, Logistics, Road


IRU and ITF draw up plan to save road haulage

[ June 21, 2023   //   ]

The International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have launched a three-point plan to help fix driver shortages.

It calls on the UN and international organisations to develop a global framework with clear guidelines to protect non-resident drivers; improve driver conditions and increase social cohesion

National governments should amend and enforce labour immigration procedures to protect non-resident drivers, reduce bureaucracy to allow easier legal immigration for current and potential drivers; boost recognition of third-country qualifications via bilateral agreements; invest in and increase enforcement of road transport laws and regulations; and subsidise domestic training and integration programmes.

Road transport operators should develop operational integration programmes for non-resident drivers to receive the same conditions as their domestic workforce; and support training, skills management and certification processes.

With up to one third of drivers retiring within the next three years in many countries, unfilled driver positions could more than double by 2026, warns ITF.

IRU secretary general Umberto de Pretto said, “Driver shortages are quickly getting out of control. Balancing global labour supply and demand via simple measures to ease legal immigration and stop exploitation of non-resident drivers is one way to fix the problem, support decent work and keep vital road transport services moving.”

ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton added, “Governments, transport employers, and the multinational customers of transport must work together with trade unions to build decent work to end driver shortages. Road transport will only be able to attract and retain drivers if it is built on cooperation between all stakeholders and rightsholders to ensure decent work, fundamental labour rights and genuine social protections.”

Tags: