The European Parliament has voted to tie up self-employed drivers in red tape, Welsh Conservative MEP Dr Kay Swinburne warned today.
In a vote in Strasbourg MEPs voted to reject a proposal from the European Commission to exclude self-employed drivers from the scope of the Working Time Directive.
The Commission had argued that there is already other existing legislation which covers drivers’ hours and yet more red tape would be difficult to enforce, and would not add demonstrably to drivers’ safety.
The European Conservatives and Reformists Group has fought a long campaign to exclude self-employed drivers from the Directive.
In the committee vote last September, it was able to support the Commission’s position by a majority of one vote, thanks to an alliance with the European People’s Party group.
Unfortunately, the final vote today was lost by 120 votes.
Speaking after the vote, Kay Swinburne said:
“Self-employed drivers adhere to strict rules on driving hours already.
“It is completely pointless for them to be tied up in unnecessary red tape, particularly in the current economic climate.
“We have fought a long, hard campaign to defend the interests of self-employed drivers. I am very disappointed that socialist dogma has prevailed.
“What’s more, this Directive is extremely difficult to enforce for self-employed drivers.
“Ultimately, all MEPs have achieved is to make it harder for honest drivers to compete in an already competitive market.”
