Progressive Euro MPs today welcomed the decision of the European Commission to respect the vote of the European Parliament which guarantees that all truck drivers benefit from the same working time conditions.

Said S&D vice-president responsible for Economic and Social Affairs, labour MEP Stephen Hughes and the chairwoman of the Employment and Social Affairs committee, French socialist Pervenche Berès: « The European Parliament has made it clear now twice that limits on working time and compulsory rest breaks should apply to all lorry drivers without exception.

« The European parliament confirmed this again on 16June in Strasbourg. There is no need to reopen the debate. No new proposal is needed from the Commission. The EU member states must implement the European rules in force.

« This has been a long standing battle of the socialist and democrats. It is about having fair and sensible rules and ensuring that EU roads are the safest in the world. »