DOT QUERIES
Page 24
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Having read the article in today's CM(18-24 March) regarding Eastern European hauliers, I am moved to ask a question or two of the officials at the Department of Transport.
What will the stance of these individuals be when their own employment prospects are threatened by the presence of a Polish, Hungarian or Estonian counterpart, ready and willing to do their jobs at a quarter of their salary? How many of them, I wonder, will accept the "legitimacy" of the situation without complaint?
With regard to some of the big operators in the news lately, it may well be that all required permits accompany non-EU registered equipment. However, there seems to be a distinct lack of valid driving licences when European Unionregistered equipment is doublemanned by non-EU labour to undertake intra-EU movements.
Why should I be required to employ properly licensed drivers when it would seem that foreign operators are not?
There are many facets of this industry (such as fuel duty and VED rates) which leave me, as an EU citizen, feeling disadvantaged. Perhaps the powers that be can throw me some crumb of comfort by providing some straight answers.
CB Haley, Braintree, Essex.