In the Netherlands, transport strikes have been ongoing since February as Dutch trade unions and public transport operators are unable to reach an agreement on higher wages, work contracts, and working hours. However, a report from the business news agency Bloomberg states that the "most common skilled occupation for migrants in 2020 was behind the wheel of a truck, with more than 130,000 working as drivers."Ĭonsumers and everyday commuters are feeling the sharp end of the transport crisis as drivers stage protests and strikes demanding better wages and fair working conditions. Uneven and varied implementation of transport legislation and the open-border fluidity of movement within the European Union make it difficult to determine the number of migrant truck drivers plying the roads of the European bloc. ![]() Transport companies are looking to migrant workers to fill in the gaps. The prospect of older truckers easing into retirement and the lack of younger drivers could bring the total shortage in Europe by two million by 2026. Over one-third of people employed in transport occupations in the European Union are 50 years old or over. Truck drivers working for a Polish transport group have gone on strike | Source: Twitter, posted on Ap Migrants filling in shortage of truck driversĭemand for transport services, low wages, and deplorable working conditions which include drivers living inside their trucks for months at a time have all contributed to the shortage of truck drivers in Europe.Īn International Road Transport Union (IRU) report described the shortages of truck and coach drivers in Europe as "spiralling out of control." The company website also states that they operate a fleet of over 900 trucks. In a situation where you have people calling others ‘sheep’ who will do what they are told, it is heartwarming to have human beings helping other human beings," said Atema.Īccording to Atema, Lukmaz, Agmaz, and Imperia is registered in Poland and employs many drivers from countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Georgia. The church and other concerned citizens are providing food and supplies to the drivers. "We have the support of the local police and the local people here. I am proud of my country," Sultan said.Įdwin Atema, an officer of the Dutch Federation of Trade Unions (FNV), told InfoMigrants that the union is looking into reports of intimidation and violence against some truck drivers.Ĭurrently, local police are providing security and guarding the areas where the truck drivers have parked their vehicles. They (the employer) told me that you people from Uzbekistan are like sheep, you would be happy to work for even €300. We need the money for our families back home. He has six children and his wife is currently pregnant. Since he started working a year and a half ago, Sultan has not seen his family and has been living in his truck. Sultan, a truck driver from Uzbekistan, who asked that only his first name be used, told InfoMigrants he was promised wages of about €2,400 per month but only receives €400 monthly. Unpaid wages, discrimination, and reports of harassment ![]() Since we carried out transports over your company you are part of this bad situation created by your contractors." The petition also pleaded with companies who contract the services of the Lukmaz, Agmaz, and Imperia "to demand from the companies to respect the law and pay us according to these standards. "We are put in a position where stopping to drive was the only option to change our situation," read the petition. ![]() InfoMigrants was furnished with a copy of the petition made by the drivers which stated that they have substantial financial claims on Lukmaz, Agmaz, and Imperia but their repeated requests for copies of their pay slips to justify deductions and account for proper wages have been ignored. The strike started at a rest stop along the A22 motorway in Italy about two weeks ago and has since expanded with more drivers on strike in parking areas in Gräfenhausen, Germany.Īccording to a report by the Trans.Info news site, the frustration of the truck drivers was triggered by images of the owner of the three trucking companies posing next to a Lamborghini with a custom number plate on the front. ![]() More than fifty migrant truck drivers working from Georgia and Uzbekistan are staging a strike over months of unpaid wages and exploitative working conditions from their employer, Polish transport company group, Lukmaz, Agmaz, and Imperia.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |