The drivers of the Lithuanian haulier Rosteka initiated their protest in late December. They are demanding unpaid wages and have raised numerous complaints against their employer, which provides transportation services for major companies like Amazon and Tesla. Rosteka is based in Kaunas, Lithuania, about 100 kilometres from the capital, Vilnius. The company also operates an office in Sejny, Poland, near the Lithuanian and Belarusian borders.
The case was brought to public attention by Edwin Atema of the Dutch trade union FNV, who previously assisted truck drivers protesting in Grafenhausen, Germany, in 2023.
The drivers have reported labour rights violations to the union and claim to be victims of exploitation. Some allege they were coerced into signing documents they did not understand and were threatened with dismissal when they voiced complaints. In response, several workers chose to immobilize the trucks, effectively disrupting deliveries to Tesla and Amazon.
Rosteka did not address the drivers’ grievances, instead accusing them of stealing the trucks and goods. The company attempted to recover the vehicles by sending other lorries to the parking area, accompanied by police officers who had been briefed by the protesting drivers about their work conditions. The authorities seized a truck loaded with goods destined for Amazon and, after assessing the situation, classified it as a “labour conflict” rather than theft.
Edwin Atema shared an open letter on his Facebook page addressing Rosteka’s clients, including Amazon and Tesla, highlighting the plight of the drivers.
“The delay in the delivery of your cargo is not caused by drivers who have stolen your goods. The delay is due to your decisions to allow companies that violate regulations and human rights, such as Rosteka of Lithuania, to operate in your supply chain,” Atema wrote.
Atema criticized Rosteka for spending resources to counter the drivers’ actions while neglecting to engage in dialogue with them. He emphasized that the drivers are still waiting for their wages and essential documents.
“Amazon and Tesla rely on transporting goods across Europe. To achieve this, they use an extensive network of subcontractors. Much of this freight is ultimately transported by companies employing drivers from distant countries—Central Asia, India, or Zimbabwe. The conditions of employment for these drivers reveal that they were not hired due to a shortage of drivers but to exploit vulnerable individuals fighting to protect their rights,” he added.
According to Atema, these drivers are often promised excellent working conditions, high wages, paid holidays, and proper weekly rest in hotels.
“However, instead of receiving what they were promised and in compliance with the law, they incur unexpected recruitment costs, live in their vehicles for months, lack proper payroll documentation, and are frequently forced to sign documents they do not understand. Many drivers report being coerced into agreeing to payroll deductions or committing fraud concerning driving and rest-time regulations,” Atema asserted.
Drivers from Tajikistan and other countries have shared their disillusionment with working in Europe.
“For our companies, we are just a piece of meat. We thought Europe was social and that the laws would protect us. Now I am in a worse situation than before coming to Europe,” Atema quoted them as saying.
Finally, Atema called on Tesla and Amazon to act urgently.
“Dear Amazon and Tesla, according to your human rights policy, a company like Rosteka should not even be part of your supply chain. Take immediate action to ensure justice for the drivers suffering through Rosteka,” he urged.