European Vice-President and Commissioner for Social Rights, Quality Employment and Skills, Roxana Mînzatu, witnessed first-hand the harsh conditions faced by lorry drivers during a visit to Belgian parking areas organised by the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and other road transport stakeholders.
During the day, the delegation visited three parking sites: a Gold-certified Safe and Secure Truck Parking Area (SSTPA) and two uncertified sites. In addition to the ETF, the delegation included representatives from the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the European Secure Parking Organisation (ESPORG). The ETF was represented by its General Secretary, Livia Spera, together with Belgian affiliates BTB/ABVV and ACV-Transcom.
What the delegation observed reflects a wider crisis affecting the entire European road transport sector.
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A profession in decline
One of the most pressing issues in the industry is the deterioration in job quality and pay for professional drivers. Many have left the profession due to long periods away from home and the lack of adequate rest facilities. As a result, drivers from third countries are often recruited under precarious conditions, facing serious risks to their safety and labour rights, particularly in relation to mandatory rest periods.
Rest facilities at the heart of the problem
The shortage of suitable parking spaces is a major challenge. Many drivers struggle even to find somewhere to take their legally mandated 45-minute breaks. The situation is even worse when it comes to Safe and Secure Truck Parking Areas (SSTPAs), which remain scarce and prohibitively expensive for much of the sector.
According to an ETF study, more than 60% of lorry drivers and 66% of bus and coach drivers admit to regularly driving while fatigued. One in three lorry drivers and one in four bus drivers have fallen asleep at the wheel. In many cases, drivers were unable to take a break when needed.
Most existing parking areas lack basic services, forcing drivers to sleep in their cabs. This practice undermines safety and runs counter to the aim of the EU Mobility Package, which stipulates that weekly rest periods must be taken outside the vehicle. The ETF stresses that guaranteeing adequate rest facilities is essential to retaining and attracting drivers, as well as improving parking infrastructure.
Conclusions from the visit
Livia Spera, ETF General Secretary, underlined the importance of upholding EU rules:
“We reiterated to the Commission that enforcement must be improved, oversight strengthened and the rules of the Mobility Package fully applied. Operators must inform drivers of their rights, ensure they take their weekly rest outside the cab and enable them to return home regularly.”
Commissioner Roxana Mînzatu commented:
“Safe parking is not just about logistics; it is about ensuring drivers’ dignity, safety and respect. By investing in better places for them to rest, we make the profession more attractive, address labour shortages and strengthen road transport as a pillar of the European economy.”
The ETF is calling on the European Commission to prioritise the expansion of safe and secure parking infrastructure and to reinforce enforcement mechanisms that guarantee drivers’ rights across all Member States.
