<p>For decades now, priority has been given to deregulating Europe's transport market. European transport policy has shown great determination in removing technical, administrative and regulatory hurdles. The unrestricted mobility of freight and people is seen as one of the key instruments for integrating the Single Market and for further growth. However, this deregulation in no way included a harmonisation of employment and social standards. Quite the contrary, the developments in the transport sector are a bitter reminder of the consequences of unfettered competition and lacking social integration for the workers concerned.</p><p> </p><p>Competition for market shares is mainly driven by price and not quality. As transport being a labour-intensive service, wages are a major cost factor in setting prices. To remain competitive, cost reductions have targeted employees’ wages and working conditions. The transport sector is now characterised by a dramatic race to the bottom, as illustrated in this brochure. In addition to the detrimental effects on employees, deteriorating social standards pose a long-term threat to the quality and safety of transport services.</p><p> </p><p>All transport sector employees are finding themselves subject to work intensification. Employment contracts are becoming more diverse and tending to be more precarious. Yet for most employees, things are not as bad as for truck drivers in Europe. They’re on the road for days and weeks on end, working for miserable wages, with long hours, no health insurance and only their cab as a home. In order for the example of truck drivers not to become a template for other occupations, the initiative Fair Transport Europe has been launched by the European transport unions. Alongside general proposals – important for all employees working in a transnational capacity – on fair wages and working conditions and on combating social dumping, the initiative also puts forward concrete measures for the individual transport sector segments. While the implementation and enforcement challenges are great, it is imperative for them to be tackled in order for the European transport sector to operate in a profitable, environmentally-friendly and social manner ...</p>For further infomration please go to: <a href="http://www.fairtransporteurope.eu">http://www.fairtransporteurope.eu</a…;