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New plan to simplify cabotage rules
[ December 17, 2014 // Chris ]The Juncker Commission published on 17 December plans to simplify and clarify legislation on access to the occupation of road transport operator and on access to the international road haulage market, while dealing with the social dumping issues. One of the problems with existing cabotages rules is that they can be interpreted in many ways and are relatively easy to circumvent. The ‘REFIT’ plan aims to establish more clearly what is or is not permitted It also aims to eradicate so-called ‘letter-box’ companies that hire Eastern European drivers at low wages in the West by clarifying the existing rules on ‘establishment’.
MEPs rejected on the same date a draft regulation under which illegal cabotage would not lead to a haulier’s loss of repute. The regulation had been promoted by new Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc, who argues that there is no direct link between illegal caboatage and road safety. However, MEPs, are keen to see social offences listed among the more serious operator offences. MEPs said they wanted to send a clear message on the importance of preventing ‘social dumping’.