Unite, the UK’s leading union, which represents tens of thousands
of lorry drivers, has warned that the government’s decision to
press ahead with a relaxation of the cabotage rules risks the
safety of all road users.
In an attempt to lessen the problems caused by a shortage of
lorry drivers, the Department for Transport has relaxed the rules
on foreign lorries making deliveries and collecting goods in the
UK. Previously, European Union drivers were restricted to
making just two collections or deliveries before having to leave
the UK.
Under the government’s relaxation of the rules, for the next six
months (until 30 April 2022) employers from anywhere in the world
(not just the EU) lorry drivers can be sent to the UK for 14
days to make unrestricted collections and deliveries.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is yet
another example of the government using a short-term
fix rather than developing long-term solutions to the
shortage of lorry drivers in the UK.
"The drivers involved are at extreme risk of being exploited with
absolutely no protection under UK law. It could also
undercut rates for UK lorry drivers. So the relaxing of
the rules won’t be a temporary solution, in fact it could
end up creating even more difficulties for the industry.”
During this period the driver can operate under a reduced weekly
rest period so they can legally live in their lorry for the
entire period that they are in the UK and still comply with
driving regulations.
The drivers will not be governed by UK employment laws so
they could be paid below the national minimum wage while
working in the country.
Unite is alarmed about driver and road safety for the
following reasons:
- The lorries operating in this manner do not have to comply
with the same licensing requirements and standards prior to
entering the UK.
- There is no official public record of which companies are
taking advantage of the cabotage rules so there is no independent
monitoring.
- There will be no checks on the road worthiness of the lorries
being used before they enter the UK.
- The only way that drivers can be checked on whether they are
complying with the regulations on drivers’ hours is through spot
checks which are rare.
Unite national officer Adrian Jones said: “The government is
playing a dangerous game. Lorry drivers from throughout the world
can now be forced to work in the UK with no effective checks on
whether their vehicles are safe or if they are obeying driving
regulations. The government’s actions are also risking the safety
of all road users.”
