Things are not going well for Europe. While countries like France and Germany reintroduce border controls within the Schengen zone, one of the biggest problems facing the transportation sector remains unanswered: social dumping. Instead of undermining the core of the European project by increasing controls at internal borders, EU member states would do better to focus their energy on tackling exploitation and injustice in the transportation sector.

Social dumping: open borders for exploitation

Recently, Norway, Austria, Germany, Denmark, France, Sweden, Slovenia and Italy reintroduced border controls.  Soon, trucks will again be forced  to queue at internal borders.

At the same time, truck drivers both EU an third country nationals, many of whom are away from home for weeks or months at a time, are exploited by abusive employers. These drivers often live and work in inhumane conditions, while receiving a pittance that barely meets basic rights. The strike by third-country national truck drivers last year in Gräfenhausen underscores the desperation and frustration of these workers. They revolted against employers who treat them like modern-day slaves, with no respect for European rules that should protect their working conditions.

The Mobility Package provides for measures around driving and rest periods, fair wages and basic labor rights, but compliance with these rules is totally inadequate. In Belgium, where only a handful of inspectors oversee hundreds of thousands of trucks, enforcement is often lacking, giving exploiters free rein. It is no different in other European member states! Without strict controls and sanctions, the Mobility Package remains a paper promise, while social dumping and exploitation increase.

Border controls as useless symbol politics

The reintroduction of border controls under the guise of security is an expensive, useless and misguided measure that plays into the right-wing extremist narrative. This narrative reduces migrants and cross-border traffic to a threat and mainly plays on gut feelings without offering real solutions. It gives the image of decisiveness, but does not solve any structural problems, such as the exploitation and lack of protection for migrant workers.

While allocating resources to facilitate these useless border controls, Europe is failing in terms of social justice. Indeed, the failure to combat exploitation and social dumping is a greater threat to European society. The problem of exploitation in the transport sector requires effective European cooperation and inspection, not rolling back the Schengen idea.

A call for true European solidarity and enforcement

Europe must focus on fair working conditions for all. The real problems we are facing today originates from a European Union that was built mainly as a large common market area with no adequate measures to address the imbalances created by such big, diverse market.

The answer to the challenges in the transport sector lies not in reintroducing borders, but in strengthening cooperation, enforcement and solidarity and going back to the founding principles that inspired the European project.

In cross-border transport activities this means deploying more inspectors, both at the national and European level, and strengthening the European Labor Authority (ELA) with a mandate to actually organize inspections. The priority should be to protect these rights instead of blindly focusing on symbolic politics.

Instead of hunting down people fleeing war, hunger and violence, Europe would do better to hunt down the organizers of fraud and exploitation.

No return to closed borders, but fair working conditions

It is time for Europe not to follow the rhetoric of division, but to make a firm commitment to social and solidarity policies. We must strive for fair working conditions and equal protection for all workers, no matter their origin, within our Union. Only by tackling social dumping across borders can we ensure a transport sector that is just, fair and future-proof. A return to closed borders is not a solution to the challenges of the future – a united Europe that protects its workers is.

We’re still at the ITF – International Transport Workers’ Federation Congress, where today I introduced a motion on ‘The Rights of Transport Workers’, which was approved unanimously by all Congress delegates.

Our rights are under attack. The fundamental rights that our movement, our colleagues, our friends, our sisters and brothers have fought and died for again need our protection.

For decades we have seen the forces of the free market try to take away our right to strike, our right to protest, and our right to collectively bargain.

Privatisation, subcontracting, hedge funds, tax cuts, spending cuts – these are the weapons of greed and profiteering we continue to resist against every day.

But today, an old enemy has re-appeared.

The far right has regrouped. They exploit inequality and choose to blame the most vulnerable.

These thugs—sometimes wearing uniforms, sometimes wearing suits—have marched on our streets before. Again, they threaten our rights and endanger peace and justice.

We defeated them before. We shall defeat them again.

We shall unite to defend our right to decent work, to a safe working environment, to a welfare state with well-funded public services.

How do we do this?

Sisters and brothers, today, on behalf of the ITF Executive Board, I am proud to move a motion that leads the international fight for our rights.

This motion demands an organising strategy for all workers—informal, migrant, temporary, precarious, gig workers and all other non-standard forms of employment.

Because we know we are only as powerful as the weakest, most exploited link in our chain of solidarity around the world. An injury to one, is an injury to all.

This motion demands that we lead a global campaign of solidarity action to defend the right to strike.

Our right to withhold our labour is as old and important as the ITF itself.

The ITF began 128 years ago when maritime workers went on strike in solidarity with workers overseas that most had never met.

This motion demands that we develop and support your strategic litigation and law reform efforts, to defend and expand our rights in the courts.

We see the weaponisation of the courts and judiciary in most countries around the world. We cannot stand idly by whilst our legal systems are turned against us.

This motion demands that we empower internationalism and lead by example in the United Nations system, challenging the nationalism and violence of the far right.

We are a critical part of the biggest democratic movement in the world – the international labour movement. So we have a responsibility to help rebuild our international institutions.

We gave the world the weekend. We gave the world pensions, maternity leave, holiday pay, health and safety, social security.

We now need to give the world the living wage, freedom from violence and harassment at work, the right to sanitation facilities for all workers, the right to a safe commute home from work.

We must ensure our children, and our children’s children enjoy these rights, remembering that we fought for them.

And that is why, brothers and sisters, we move this motion today.

Today, on the “Shaping the Future of Work” panel, I shared how BTB has tackled the challenges of the platform economy. I discussed the key lessons we’ve learned from our agreement with Uber and how we’ve approached Amazon and other platform companies.

Curious about BTB’s approach? You can read all about our insights below.

How has BTB responded to the challenge posed by the platform economy.? What are your next steps?

I am glad to have the opportunity today to talk to you about a topic that is reshaping the landscape of labor— the platform economy.
As we all know, the world of work is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements and the rise of digital platforms. Recent studies predict that by 2025, there will be over 43 million platform workers in the EU alone — a 52% increase in just three years. This rise in platform workers represents a profound shift in the way people work, but also in the way we, as trade unions, must operate.
Platform workers often face precarious conditions. Their wages and working terms are far from secure, this leaves them vulnerable. It is not just a question of defending their rights; it is also a matter of safeguarding the future of our own organizations. If we aim to grow and maintain our influence, we cannot overlook these workers. We must adapt and expand our strategies to include them, despite the complexities of their employment status.

My own experience within the BTB union has shown just how challenging this can be. Platform workers do not fit neatly into the traditional frameworks we have relied on for decades. They are often categorized as freelancers or independent contractors, making it hard for them to see themselves as part of a collective workforce. This means we need a major shift in mindset—not just for the workers, but for us as unions too.

From the beginning, BTB has chosen not to wait for platform workers to come to us. Instead, we actively sought them out, organizing roadshows —wherever they come together, be it outside Amazon warehouses, at Uber rider hotspots, or even at local meeting points where they take a break. Our roadshow approach has been instrumental, allowing us to connect directly with workers on their terms, showing them that unions are here to support them, regardless of their employment status. We now apply this same approach in others sectors such as the port industry where it is also successful.

This strategy, however, has not been without its challenges. Take, for instance, our efforts to support Uber drivers. Traditional taxi drivers initially saw and some still see Uber as a threat, and this created friction even within our own ranks. But we stood firm in our belief that every worker deserves representation and protection. Whether they work under a conventional employer or a platform, the goal is the same: fair pay, safe conditions, and respect for their work.

Negotiating with a multinational like Uber to represent its drivers does not mean we support their business model. On the contrary, we see these workers as regular employees who should have the same rights as anyone else. We will continue to lobby to ensure these workers receive the recognition they deserve. We will not abandon them to fend for themselves, just as we wouldn’t with any other transport worker facing exploitation.

What lessons have we learned from our engagement with Uber and other platform companies?

From our engagement with Uber and similar companies we learned first of all that it’s undeniably tough to navigate the complex legal and operational frameworks of the platform economy. Many platforms simply refuse to acknowledge their workers as employees, making it a fierce battle. But as unions, we are used to fighting employers. We have learned that “difficult” is not an excuse to back down.

Second, we cannot ignore such a significant and rapidly growing part of the workforce. With over 40 million people soon working through platforms, representing them is not optional—it’s our duty.
In conclusion, the platform economy is not just a new arena for labor rights. It is a test of our relevance and resilience. It challenges us to rethink how we organize, how we reach out, and ultimately, how we protect those who need us most. By meeting platform workers where they are, by adapting our methods, and by standing firm in our principles, we will ensure that no worker, whether gig or traditional, is left without a voice.

Today, I had the honor of addressing the ITF Road Section, outlining the key priorities for the next five years.

You can read my full speech below.

Brothers and sisters,

Talking about the priorities for the Road Section for the coming years is talking about about protecting and empowering workers in the road transport industry.
The challenges we face are urgent, and recent events have made that clearer than ever. Take, for example, the truckers’ strike in Grafenhausen, Germany. Eastern European drivers were forced to endure appalling conditions—living for months in their trucks, denied their wages, and treated with complete disregard by exploitative subcontractors. These drivers had to strike just to demand what was owed to the: their salary. It was a fight for dignity, a reminder that exploitation remains rampant in our industry.

Our 2024-2029 strategy is built on three pillars: Expanding Membership, Exercising Power, and Transforming our Industry.

First, expanding membership. We must strengthen unions, especially in regions where organizing is difficult. Being close to workers, understanding their struggles on the ground, is key to growing our movement. We see this across Europe and around the world.

Second, exercising power. We need to focus on where we are already strong and expand to other sectors — especially warehousing, logistics, and e-commerce. Companies like Amazon, DHL, and UPS dominate the supply chain, and by organizing workers here, we can set industry standards. Our campaigns to hold these companies accountable, as some affiliates are already doing with Amazon, show that our collective power can improve conditions not just for a few, but for all.

Finally, transforming the industry. This is about making road transport an attractive and respected sector with decent working conditions. We need Safe Rates as a standard for everyone. Truckers should never have to fight for wages that are rightfully theirs. And, we must ensure better conditions for women and young workers by improving access to sanitation and safe parking facilities.

Our Global Safe Rates Campaign and our push for supply chain legislation will help drive these changes. By targeting key players in the global logistics industry, we can raise standards across the board. And by focusing on women’s inclusion, we can create an industry that is truly equal and respectful.

Together, with your solidarity and commitment, we will expand, we will exercise our power, and we will transform this industry into one that provides safety, fairness, and dignity for all.

Brothers ans sisters, our slogan is « we move the world ».
Well Brothers and sisters, let us move the world and make it a beter place for transport workers!

Speaking today at the ETF Logistics Conference! It’s a privilege to stand alongside fellow union leaders and experts as we discuss the future of logistics and the challenges we face in this crucial sector.

You can read my speech below.

Welcome to this logistics conference organised by the European Transport-workers’ Federation.

In fact, this is our second logistics conference! 3 years ago, we kicked off the ETF work in logistics at this same place, here in this very room.

At that first conference, we already emphasised on the importance of the logistic sector for transport workers! It was a very important day for the ETF, very energising for all of us. Finally, after years of discussions, we decided that we had to look at what unites us, rather than at what divides us, in the interest of the workers we represent.

Logistics is the part of transport where all our unions are growing in terms of membership. My own union BTB is growing in membership constantly, and we realised this mostly by our growth in the logistics sector. <cijfer invoegen> cijfers opgevraagd bij Koen. No less than 16,5% over the last 5 years.

As we will have a chance to discuss later today, it is also the sector where more concentration of power is happening. We are facing giant companies, managing the whole supply chain and beyond. Yesterday I investigated how much staff Amazon employs worldwide. It is over 1,5 million! And chat GPT also told me that the business turnover is 575 billion dollars! Important enough to unions to work on that kind of companies, isn’t it?

The same company Amazon uses an anti union surveillance system, called SPOC (geoSPacial Operating Console) that tracks organising efforts by unions, and uses this system to organise reactions by the line managers.

And there is very little governance from the national governments and from the EU. EU is failing to developing legislation on logistics, to stopping unethical subcontracting, to stopping social dumping, to stop ping the race to the bottom in our logistics sector.

So non-respect of labour rights and working conditions, abusive subcontracting, exploitation are very common. And this has to change!

And as ETF President I can tell you that I am very proud of the work that we have been doing since our first conference! Over the last three years, we have got more and more relevance in our work. When I talk about relevance, I mean that we are doing things that are meaningful for the workers we represent.

Since then: at ETF we have a person in charge, a full plan, new ideas, a logistics manifesto.
We had a European action day on 4th of October 2023 with actions in Sweden, the UK, Italy, Spain, Belgium, …
ETF participated to a subcontracting action day 2 weeks ago in Straatsburg. T, together with two other European federations with 750 participants demonstrated before the European Parliament.

And this weekoday my uinion BTB is organizing leafletting actions in 70 … companies, in support of this conference!.

ETF organized trainings, coordination, research projects, concrete support to members,

We developed company networks, with strong links with EWCs, in companies like CEVA, FEDEX, UPS, Amazon, …

By doing so, we are occupying space and finally are being the voice of workers in logistics.

And the other good news is that we managed to do all of this in full cooperation with ITF. So we are happy to have our General Secretary General of ITF, Stephenve Cotton, with us today!

As we need knowledge and expertise, we are also building a network of experts around us: labour lawyers, experts in new technologies, trainers, sociologists, researchers… Some of them will take the floor today.

To do all this, we need collective intelligence and brains, and we need the power and determination that we use on our most important battles.

So I am very happy to be here today, and I am sure you’ll all be very active and make today a moment to exchange and build ideas and synergies.

And do not forget, b Brothers and sisters,
USWE, the transport workers do have the leverage to organise the logistic sector.
USWE, and only USWE, the transport unions have the power.
The muscles and the guts to kick open the doors of the logistic companies open.

So to Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and other big shots in the industry
I promise: watch out, ETF and ITF are coming!
to stand up and to fight back!