EU PILES MORE PAIN ON BRITISH TRANSPORT INDUSTRY
Posted, June 17, 2010 @ 00:00
Strasbourg 17 June 2010. Conservative Employment spokesman in Brussels Julie Girling condemned moves by MEPs, including UK Labour members, to pile more red tape on the road haulage industry.
Her comments come as a European Commission proposal that sought to exclude part-time lorry drivers from existing legislation limiting working hours was defeated in the European Parliament yesterday.
Julie warned that this move could be the first step towards widespread EU intervention for the self-employed across Britain
Speaking after the vote where Conservatives voted to block the move Julie said,
"Regulating the working hours of self-employed people is unprecedented, unnecessary and completely unwanted. This move could open the floodgates for EU intervention in any number of professions affecting the self-employed.
"Bringing the self-employed under the scope of this will sim directive will heap more red tape and costs onto an already over burdened road haulage industry.
"Road safety was not at stake as laws are already in place that limit driving times and set mandatory rest periods. Failure to comply already results in a revoked license.
The Socialists and Trade Unions have decided to support the over-regulation of an industry already on its knees."