Portugal introduced in 1Verse Sept law aims to Improving the working conditions of truck drivers during the loading and unloading phases. The new provision specifically prohibits drivers from performing these actions themselves, with rare exceptions. Loading and unloading of goods must now be carried out by specially qualified personnel. The driver will only be able to lend a hand in the event of removal, and to deliver fuel or dangerous products, provided that he has received specific training in this regard. Penalty 15 000 € planned In the event of non-compliance with this new regulation.
“Safe place with sanitary facilities”
The provision also limits the waiting time during these procedures and provides the possibility for drivers to receive compensation when the waiting time on the ramp is more than two hours. The law also states that waiting must occur “In a safe place with sanitary facilities” And the drivers They should be able to access their car at all times. To ensure smooth running of loading and unloading operations. The new regulations concern heavy goods vehicles registered in Portugal and foreign vehicles.
5 000 to 15 000 € okay
danger of offenders 1 250 to 3 740 € fine (if an individual) and 5 000 to 15 000 € (for a company). The amount of fines for a waiting period of more than 2 years hours of 12 € per hour of additional car time from 2.5 to 3.5 t rotates inside an agglomerate at 40 Euros per hour for an international heavyweight over 44 tons. In case of waiting more than 10 hour, the hourly fine increases by 25 %. With this text, Lisbon hopes to combat the deteriorating working conditions of truck drivers, which largely explains the current shortage of drivers across Europe.
Law welcomed in Spain
The new Portuguese law was positively accepted in Spain, where Unions have called for similar action for years now. According to the specialized magazine Diario de Transport, 70 % of Spanish drivers must be involved in loading and unloading operations, while “These tasks have nothing to do with the driver’s work and contribute to their exhaustion”. The Spanish Transport Association Astic welcomes the Portuguese text and states this with a minus of 15 000 Professional drivers “Spain really needs to make work more attractive to potential candidates.
