MEPs reject transport proposals opposed by Poland

According to the agency, the plans could see Polish transport companies forced to pay employees more for working abroad.

An MEP from Poland’s ruling Law and Justice Party, Kosma Złotowski said he hoped the rejection of the so-called posted workers regulations meant the mobility package would not be adapted as a whole by the current European Parliament. A new parliament will be chosen after elections in May.

On Thursday morning, several hundred companies from Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries protested against the proposed regulations in front of the European Parliament building in Brussels.

The protesters said the mobility package, if adopted, could make transport companies in the region less competitive, as well as generate unnecessary costs and red tape.

In December, European Union transport ministers meeting in Brussels agreed on new rules, amid protests from Poland and eight other countries.

The new regulations would not cover transport services between two countries, but if such services were provided entirely abroad by a Polish firm the regulations would come into play.

The December decision came after complaints from France and Germany that they were being undercut by their Central and Eastern European rivals in providing haulier services.

The planned regulations were opposed by Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ireland and Belgium.

(tf/pk)

Source: IAR