During the plenary session (14-17 June 2010) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the report by Edit BAUER (EPP, SK) on the organisation of the working time of people performing mobile road transport activities.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

Transport (T2)

HARKIN, Marian (ALDE, IE)

MANN, Thomas (EPP, DE)

KALLAS, Siim (EE, EC)

TURUNEN, Emilie (S&D, DK)

BAUER, Edit (EPP, SK)

Organisation of the working time of people performing mobile road transport activities: extracts from the debate on the report by Edit BAUER (EPP, SK)

SOUNDBITE (Slovak), Edit BAUER (EPP, SK), rapporteur, I think that on the labour market there is phenomenon concerning false or fake self-employment but this isn't just something that's should be regulated in the context of working time on the road. This is a EU problem, it is an European issue and it has to be dealt with and this is made clear in the amendments.

SOUNDBITE (English), Siim KALLAS, European Commissioner for Transports, At the time when we hope to begin to recover from economy crisis it would not be a good move to impose an additional administrative and financial burden on small and fragile undertakings who have managed to survive the economic recession. Instead of red tape of entrepreneurs Europe needs a working time directive which will really ensures protection to lorry driers who need that protection.

SOUNDBITE (German), Thomas MANN (EPP, DE), Most member states say NO, my group says NO, HGV self-employed drivers to be included in the directive, that would only serve the big enterprises. We however have to strengthen small and medium sized businesses. People who talk about road safety justification must understand that there has always been already restriction on driving and working time. There has to be a minimum of 11 hours of rest time.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stephen HUGHES (S&amp;D, UK), We very much regret the confusion the rapporteur appears to have encountered in discharging her mandate rather in reflecting and promoting the clear majority view of members of the European Parliament employment committee, she has actively worked to promote the view of the EU COM and Council.

SOUNDBITE (English), Stephen HUGHES (S&amp;D, UK), It is quite possible under the existing regime for self employed or false self-employed to drive between 86 and 95 hours per week, perhaps not every week but one week is enough for the danger in itself.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marian HARKIN (ALDE, IE), This legislation if it includes self-employed will be virtually un-enforceable. Are we to have an army of inspectors looking over the shoulder of self-employed workers to see if they are performing general administrative duties or administration relating to the job under way.

SOUNDBITE (Danish), Emilie TURUNEN (Greens/EFA, DK), We have heard that it would be very difficult to implement this, but we have digital Tacograph which allow employers to check on working time, so it should be possible for self-employed people as well. And two Ms Bauer, I have to say how disappointed I was in the whole procedure, because in fact we have been breaking all the rules, the rules on code of conduct and we haven't reached a compromise.