Among the agreed measures, Froet highlights the prohibition of loading and unloading work by the driver, a historic claim of the sector
The Regional Federation of Organizations and Transport Companies of Murcia (Froet) considers a “great advance” for the sustainability of companies and the “improvement of the working conditions of drivers” the agreement reached on Friday night between the National Committee of the Road Transport (CNTC) and the Ministry of Transport, which allows calling off the employer strike scheduled for December 20, 21 and 22.
Among the highlights of the agreement is the prohibition of loading and unloading work by the driver, a historic claim of the sector, as well as the Government’s commitment to study the viability of establishing a sanctioning regime for non-compliant companies.
It also contemplates the mandatory inclusion in the Law of the Contract of Land Transport of Goods of a clause of stabilization of the price of diesel, without the possibility of an agreement to the contrary, which will allow companies to pass on the increases in the price of fuels in the transport price.
The Deputy Secretary of FROET, Eva Melenchón, assured that the agreement “is a complete success and represents an improvement for the sector, which now has some pillars on which to support its continuity and future growth”, and highlighted the measures that will have a direct impact on improving the working conditions of drivers.
“Drivers are the best asset of transport companies and that is why they have fought so much to recognize their work and give it dignity,” Melenchón stressed. In this sense, the FROET deputy secretary commented that “these days have been hard and it is fair to congratulate the CNTC negotiators for the work they have done.” “At first it seemed difficult to reach a meeting point with the ministry, but it has become clear that with an attitude of dialogue anything is possible.”
More than 3,500 transport companies and some 14,000 drivers in the Region of Murcia will benefit from the measures included in this agreement. Those that entail a normative regulation, such as the prohibition of loading and unloading or the revision clause of the rise in diesel, will be included in a Royal Decree Law that will be approved next February, according to the commitment of the central government.
Another commitment on the part of the Ministry, regarding the possible increase in the loading capacity of trucks, is that any modification will be made progressively and only in certain transport specialties, and with the participation of the CNTC.
Agreed measures
- one
Transposition of the directive on posted workers, which will significantly limit unfair competition from foreign transport companies in Spain.
- two
Prohibition for the driver to carry out loading and unloading operations, except for certain exceptions.
- 3
Mandatory review of the price of transport due to the variation in the price of diesel.
- 4
Strengthening of inspection means to avoid unfair competition.
- 5
Creation of a Code of Good Commercial Practices in the contracting of land transport of goods, which fosters fair, balanced and loyal relationships between the companies involved in contracting the transport of goods. In addition, a State Registry of companies that subscribe it will be established.
- 6
Creation of a standard for the certification of loading and unloading areas in relation to the services and conditions offered to professional carriers.
- 7
Maintenance of the current professional diesel regime during the current legislature.
- 8
Within the Recovery Plan, the construction of safe parking lots for trucks will be subsidized, with a total investment of 20 million euros and a plan for the progressive conversion of winter road parking to safe parking lots will be designed.
- 9
A study of the waiting times in the loading and unloading areas will be carried out in order to define the cost of these waits and establish what would be the necessary measures in this area.
- 10
Launch of an anonymous complaint box on non-compliance with the regulations, to facilitate the transport inspection activity.
- eleven
A working group will be created to make a proposal on the needs for training and attracting talent to the road transport sector.
- 12
Within the Recovery Plan, up to 140 million euros will be included for the digitization of transport companies and digital training of professionals.
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