EC prepares to crack down on VVTD
Page 13

If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Et] COUNTRIES that fail to implement the Working Time Directive (WM) for truck drivers could find themselves in court as the European Commission cracks down on offenders.
'11te International Road Transport Union (TRU) has drawn up a list of countries which have failed to notify the EC that the Directive has been rolled out.
Of these, Ireland has now informed the Commission that full implementation will begin this month. But Germany says it could he summer before it is in a position to do so, and Italy believes it could be as late as the autumn.
The EC knows nothing about Greece's progress."except a working group has been established". The IRU says Germany has been dogged by "political dislocation" following the 2005 national elections, but points out that the 48-hour working week rule is already covered by domestic law. However, the existing definition of periods of availability differs from that set out in the EU Directive.
In addition,discussions between unions and employers in the Netherlands have failed to achieve collective agreementson a number of issues covered by the WM.
The Freight Transport Association's head of road freight policy. Joan Williams, accepts that some of these countries' internal labour laws might already be stricter than the WTD rules.
But she adds: -They haven't
complied vvith a piece oflegislatirm, The other European coun
full stop.With Greece,I can see [the yet to comply with the W'I'D EC] taking quite a serious view: Austria,Czech Republic,Port
they can't allow that to carry on:' Luxembourg and Spain.