FORGET THE RHETORIC
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There has been much talk lately about the influx of foreign hauliers and non-EU drivers working in EU-registered trucks carrying intra-EU loadscabotage, in other words. There might be some truth in all these accusations. If so, what should we do about it?
Considering our main industries—farming, manufacturing, export, transport and shipping—are all in various stages of collapse, should we ourselves not be taking advantage of all means at our disposal to fight back? After all, someone has to carry and deliver the goods, someone has to physically keep the cogs of our economy turning. Many limes over I have heard drivers in the UK complaining of the pettiest things and kicking up merry hell if they have to have a night out—especially Friday.
With too few drivers in the UK and the EU as a whole, would it not be wiser for the sake of all our jobs to embrace the influx from the east and to keep what goods we do have moving? It's no good to the manufacturer if his goods are sold but he can't find a driver willing logo to the required destination. So what if a foreigner carries it? If he does the job for less, costs could be reduced, and in return for getting our goods to market the extra money in his pocket will give him the buying power to purchase more of our goods and services, so we export more.
We need drivers and workers who are willing and able to do the job in hand to come into our industry to keep other industries moving. Anyone not willing to get his hands dirty should think twice before going anywhere near a truck. And those that do should understand that a foreign driver is just doing his best to survive, and that, regardless of ad the rhetoric, he is not the enemy, W Reid, International truck driver.