A strong Nordic voice needed in the TRAN Committee

The Nordic Transport Workers Federation and Nordic Logistics Association have jointly issued a call for Nordic MEPs in the new Parliament to recognise the importance of the transport industry in the work of the new European Parliament.

We look forward to good co-operation with the new Members of the European Parliament and wish for Nordic MEPs to become a Nordic voice in the European Parliament for the transport issues.

NTF (Nordic Transport Workers Federation) and NLA (Nordic Logistics Association) have issued a joint statement, the text of which is: 

NTF on behalf of 375.000 transport workers in the Nordic countries and NLA on behalf of 15.000 road transport operators in the Scandinavian countries want jointly to emphasise the importance of the transport industry in view of a new European Parliament. We look forward to good co-operation with the new Members of the European Parliament and wish for Nordic MEPs to become a Nordic voice in the European Parliament for the transport issues.

With the elections now passed and the Parliament in the process of distributing seats and responsibilities, we find it important to remind of the importance of the European Parliament specifically for the transport sector. The last couple of years have shown us complicated, politically motivated fights on transport issues, often creating serious threats to the Nordic transport industry.

Jobs as well as micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the Nordic countries are threatened because of abuse of the rules, exploitation of workers and disregard for social legislation as well as inadequate protection for workers provided by the existing rules. The consequence for the companies is that they compete with low-cost carriers from other countries, undercutting not only price, but also the quality, image and social standards of an entire industry. Same trends affect all transport sectors – on the roads, seas, railways and in the aviation.

The fight for more fair competition and social standards takes place many places, but the last couple of years have shown how important the TRAN Committee of the European Parliament is in this context. After a year with long and endless discussions, lack of consensus and willingness to make compromises in the TRAN Committee, the Nordic MEPs in particular have been playing a strong and successful key role in the long and hard work for a good and broad compromise about the Mobility Package.

In a nutshell the work with the Mobility Package shows why it is important to have strong voice in the Committee also for Nordic interests.

For these reasons we encourage Nordic MEPs to consider a position in the TRAN Committee or at least to make sure that you have a clear and effective access to information about the issues being discussed. Only by strong engagement can we ensure that the road mobility package leads to a sustainable and successful adoption and that the transport issues get the attention they deserve.

We trust you will help us and look forward to a good cooperation.

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