Further delay to including owner-drivers within WTD
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THE DECISION TO include ownerdrivers within the Working Time Directive (WTD) faces further delay, despite the European Parliament voting to include them in June.
The European Commission (EC) says it is up to member states to demonstrate how they comply with their legal obligations and enforce the rules.
"The EC is asking member states what they are doing regarding the transposition and implementation of the directive with regard to self-employed drivers. We will decide on any action once we have assessed replies,says an EC spokesman.
"The EC does not, however, envisage in the near future issuing any instructions on a uniform enforcement regime, since, this could be costly and impose an administrative burden on member states."
Transport minister Mike Penning tells CM that at the moment "we are not implementing these regulations'.' He adds: "We are considering the outcome of the vote and working with other member states to limit the impact of this decision. My job is to defend hauliers, and I intend to do that.
In 2005, the directive became law for the UK road transport sector with ownerdrivers given a derogation until March 2009. However, the EC then opposed their inclusion. saying it was impractical. MEPs argued that they should be included on the grounds of road safety.