The legislation and regulations governing the sector are partly determined in and by Brussels. These laws and regulations must, among other things, ensure a level playing field within the EU, provide guarantees regarding working conditions and safety, and promote safety. Examples include rules regarding market access, cabotage, training, driving and rest times, the transport of hazardous substances, and the

Posting of Workers Directive

The effectiveness of this legislation and the lack of enforcement (partly due to budget cuts) have been under discussion for some time. TLN believes that the combination of unclear legislation, inadequate enforcement, and increasing international competition, particularly on labor costs, creates an undesirable situation in the transport and logistics sector. This has been exacerbated by the EU's expansion in recent years. The aforementioned objectives—level playing field, fair and equal working conditions, and safety—have been seriously compromised as a result.

Politics

In the past period, TLN has regularly expressed its concerns to politicians. For example, in November, a petition was presented to the House of Representatives in which TLN advocated for clear regulations, but specifically for better enforcement of these regulations (including in the area of ​​cabotage). TLN is currently also in discussions with Ministers Asscher (Social Affairs and Employment) and Schultz van Haegen (Infrastructure and the Environment). The underlying principle in all discussions is that TLN believes that in a professional Dutch and European industry, there should be no room for free interpretation of relevant regulations, which, among other things, leads to competition based on improper grounds, puts pressure on Dutch employment conditions, and threatens the loss of Dutch jobs. TLN wants to achieve a healthy and fair transport market.

TLN lobbying success: Minister Schultz wisely decides to postpone the expansion of cabotage. In these difficult economic times, TLN believes every little push is desperately needed for carriers. Full liberalization of cabotage would currently disrupt the Dutch domestic market. Carriers from the former Eastern Europe, in particular, can operate much more cheaply thanks to significantly lower labor costs, thus pricing Dutch carriers out of the market. TLN is not opposed to a free European transport market in principle, but the current social and economic differences between the Netherlands and Eastern Europe are still so great that full liberalization of cabotage is undesirable.

TLN is very pleased that Minister Schultz van Haegen is adopting the TLN position and will be advocating in Brussels for no further expansion of the liberalization of the transport market. Now that the Netherlands has taken its position, it is up to Brussels to decide. A fierce battle will rage in the coming weeks between Member States and the European Commission. In 2012, the European Commission was tasked by EU government leaders to make transport more efficient. This includes free cabotage, according to the Commission. However, almost all Member States currently see no benefit in liberalizing cabotage. The time is not right, and the differences are simply too great.

Employers and employees join forces

TLN is aware that it cannot solve the problem alone. Therefore, TLN has taken the initiative to join forces with the unions FNV Bondgenoten and CNV Vakmensen to address the problem, but above all, to offer concrete solutions. This joint effort by employers and employees creates broad support. This is partly due to reports about temporary employment agencies via Cyprus and rumors about the use of Filipino drivers. There are also many individual initiatives by people/organizations at this time, for example, blocking roads. Naturally, we share the concerns of these initiators. However, TLN is consciously choosing its own course. For example, TLN opposes actions that are unfriendly to the public.

Enforcement essential

For TLN, it is essential that politicians and the government prioritize uniform and stricter enforcement of the aforementioned laws and regulations in the Netherlands and Europe. Only then can abuses be stopped. This will create the desired level playing field in the transport market.

TLN will continue its efforts in the coming months to achieve a fairly functioning transport market. We will, of course, keep you informed of the developments.