The European Parliament has called upon the European Commission to swiftly propose reforms to the European Union's (EU) working time directive so that self-employed drivers are included from March 2009.
In a detailed motion, MEPs claimed that the existing exemption from the rules for self-employed drivers was being commonly abused. They noted "the importance of addressing the industry malpractice of classifying many employees falsely as self-employed drivers".
The parliament
claimed there was a "general view within the transport sector that self-employed drivers should be included" within EU working time legislation. And it added that under the existing system "it would be extremely difficult from a legal point of view to identify and pursue 'bogus' self-employed workers, not to mention the practical and bureaucratic difficulties [required] to prevent this concept from being widely exploited to evade the restrictions on working days."
As a result, the motion recommended that the directive's "scope is extended to include self-employed workers" by March 23 next year - an ambitious target given the EU's generally slow decision making.
Green Party MEP Mary Lou McDonald said: "Compliance with rules for driving, working time and rest periods are basic requirements for ensuring road safety and the health and safety of drivers and passengers."
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