AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Do you want to comment on any stories in Commercial

30th March 2000, Page 28
30th March 2000
Page 28
Page 28, 30th March 2000 — Do you want to comment on any stories in Commercial
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Motor? Does someone in the industry deserve a pat on the back, or a dressing down? Drop us a line at Commercial Motor, Room H203, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5A3 or fax us on 020 8652 8969. Alternatively you can e-mail Miles.Briiinall®rbl.co.uk.

B ACKING B RITAIN?

Something doesn't seem right regarding the employment of East European drivers by EUbased companies.

Surely British operators could, or should, have some more responsibility towards British drivers. How long will it be before all sectors of British industry find ways of employing cheap foreign labour? The results to the British economy, tax revenues, social services, and infrastructures will be catastrophic. It seems that Eastern Europe has abandoned the Cold War to beat us by economic means. They are in a position to win this battle, no problem. If mainland West European companies can legally use nonEU drivers to take vehicles on cross-border journeys, even though the vehicles are registered in a particular country on that country's 0-licences, why are British drivers refused work permits to drive American vehicles for American operators?

If a British driver can find employment with a US operator running between the US and Canada, his employment must be just as legal as an East European/non-EU driver working for an EU employer on international work.

Could it be that the US authorities are worried about the reaction by US unions and drivers? If so, perhaps British/EU drivers should react in a similar way as their American counterparts probably would.

RG Rio Claygate, Surrey

Tags

Organisations: European Union
Locations: Surrey