EU transport ministers agree new rules amid protests

The new regulations could see Poland's truck drivers paid more for working abroad, even if they are employed by a company registered in their home country.

The regulations need to be adopted by the European Parliament before being introduced.

Poland’s Infrastructure Minister Andrzej Adamczyk said the decision could make Polish companies less competitive, adding that Poland has the largest truck fleet among all European countries.

“Inequalities are being created for companies inside the European Union. It is a threat to international competition in the road transport sector,” Adamczyk was quoted by Polish Radio’s IAR news agency as saying.

The new regulations would not cover transportation between two countries, but if transport services were provided entirely abroad, the regulations would come into play.

Polish road transport companies said such a solution was unacceptable as it would generate unnecessary costs and red tape.

The EU decision comes after complaints from France and Germany that they were being undercut by their Central and Eastern European rivals.

The planned regulations were opposed by Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ireland and Belgium.

(tf/pk)