Simon:
Yet another sheet of paper to carry in the wagon, if you ever go to Germany.
I have no doubt that my company knows absolutely nothing about this - I hope that any fines issued only go to the company’s involved and not to the drivers
The company will have to pay, but your truck won’t be allowed to move until the fine is paid. You will be free to go, but not by using that truck as your means of transport. A mate on for the same company can’t detour to pick you n your gear up, because they’ll then have the same problem as you, the truck held until it’s fine is paid. Cos if you ain’t got it, your mate won’t have it and the authorities ain’t going to let your mate go without a check.
We had a similar problem several years ago. One of our holiday cover drivers was losing his marbles (well we all are, but that’s another story ). Anyway, he could no longer figure out how to use the toll collect machines, so he didn’t bother booking his routes and paying the MAUT. One of our full time drivers was stopped a month or so later in a routine pull n check. The unpaid tolls popped up on their computer because it was the same company although a different truck. This was the German authorities answer. The driver can go if they want, but the truck stays until the fine is paid.
Representations have been made to the German government from several countries (no names, no pack drill but feel free to insert the eastern European country of your choice) whinging big time about the new German minimum wage.
Seems they are a trifle upset that any of their little lambs abroad in the Big Bad Bundesrepublik will now by law be required to the paid a minimum of 8,50€/hour.
They are, of course, acting at the behest of their national transport organisations who are bleating that this outrageous wage will send many of their affiliates to the wall.
Funny how they were mad keen to embrace the European idea of equality when they joined the EU super club but as soon as one member state tries to re level the playing field in order to confront the problem of legalised slavery which currently exists in the EU since the accession of our new chums from yon side of the former Iron Curtain, they cry foul and go running to mummy.
Upshot is, the German employment minister has suspended the minimum wage law, pending a definitive judgement from the European court, for truck drivers engaged in TRANSIT journeys through Germany, as a symbol of “Good neighbourliness”
Drivers engaged in journeys involving tipping or loading in Germany will still be required to be paid a minimum of 8,50€/hour.
I believe similar things were said before the UK introduced its minimum wage. And no doubt if you get the correct statistics you’d prove, but another economist would find statistics to prove you wrong. But race to the bottom of the wage rate doesn’t benefit the,workers or the country,
A country like Germany is unlikely to lose see to many jobs go elsewhere be because it introduced a minimum wage, as those low,paid jobs that could have been done,elsewhere have already gone.
I for one doubt that germany has lost its industrial strength already, but coupled with the decision to drop nuclear power in the near future, the minimum wage will be the last nail to the coffin.
Inselaffe:
In my book, any attempt to dismantle the modern slave trade brought about by the exploitation of migrant workers by unscrupulous, profit greedy, shareholder arsekissing employers due to the eastern expansion of the EU gets my vote
1,000,000.
There’s a General Election coming up in May, either vote for the same thing that we’ve had since 1979 or vote UKIP.
Funny how all the eastern block country’s have the hump but never had the hump when they decimated working conditions and companies in certain sectors when they joined the EU.
Stick the wall back up.
suspended for transit operations; so if you load/tip in DE you have to comply…
I cannot understand how a law of one country can apply outside its borders. What if HMRC insisted that all seamstresses in Asia are paid UK NMW for all hours they work on clothes for UK market? Who/what gives German zollamt the power to check payslips, tax forms and bank statements of people and companies from abroad?
Then there is the ruling by a euro court that in only few and specific cases are transport workers actually posted workers so only in those cases do posted worker rules and laws apply.
But then, I remember when Italy required and issues working visa to lorry and coach drivers driving to/through Italy because in their view they were working in Italy. funnily (or not) it did not apply to all nations equally (germans did not need it, Czechs did) and neither it applied to plane or ship crews.
Queram:
I cannot understand how a law of one country can apply outside its borders. What if HMRC insisted that all seamstresses in Asia are paid UK NMW for all hours they work on clothes for UK market? Who/what gives German zollamt the power to check payslips, tax forms and bank statements of people and companies from abroad?
Then there is the ruling by a euro court that in only few and specific cases are transport workers actually posted workers so only in those cases do posted worker rules and laws apply.
.
The difference between Asian seamstresses, in Asia, and Truck Drivers transiting or delivering/collecting in Germany, is that the (east) European haulage industry has the ability (and will) undermine the German NMW in the transport sector, though this maybe shutting the door after the horse has bolted, but at least they’re thinking ahead unlike the mindless UK political class. the Asian seamstresses only have the ability to undercut the NMW from a far, so there are other cost factors involved in sourcing the goods produced by this cheap labour, which would not be involved in local production, though the Rag trade is probably not the best comparison
I for one applaud this action, if it goes ahead. Though as with are NMW it probably isn’t decent enough to live on
So has anybody got the paperwork sorted for this minimum wage thing yet?
I might have a trip to Leverkusen in a couple of weeks and wondered what I’m supposed to be doing regarding paperwork?
To be on the safe side, fill out the form and fax it to that number they provided (you can put the non-specific period covering everything through end of June). I’ve heard this doesn’t apply to O/Ds but still… probably better to fax the form. Afterwards, just keep track of hours…
). Anyway, he could no longer figure out how to use the toll collect machines, so he didn’t bother booking his routes and paying the MAUT. One of our full time drivers was stopped a month or so later in a routine pull n check. The unpaid tolls popped up on their computer because it was the same company although a different truck. This was the German authorities answer. The driver can go if they want, but the truck stays until the fine is paid.