Austrian trade unions opposing planned expansion of quotas for trucks from Serbia

The Austrian trade union Vida has expressed its opposition to the planned expansion of quotas for trucks from Serbia in reaction to the meeting of the two countries' work group on Friday, February 2, 2018.

The Ministry of Transport of Austria intends to adopt a decree increasing the quotas for shipments and transit by cargo vehicles from Serbia, Vida points out and adds that this will lead to other countries outside the EU making similar requests.

– The disastrous situation regarding trucks in Austria, companies and jobs would thereby further escalate – says the president of Vida, Roman Hebenstreit.

In a joint statement with his trade union colleague Karl Defis, he expressed concern that Austrian transport companies might lose jobs and that it would lead to “social and wage dumping”.

The Ministry of Transport of Austria, as of recently run by the new minister, Norbert Hofer, reminds that the last time the quotas for trucks from Serbia were expanded was in 2012.

According to the ministry, the expansion means only 1,500 additional permits a year.

– A potential torrent of Serbian trucks is not to be feared – the Ministry emphasized in response to APA's inquiry.

At the moment, 15,000 cargo trucks may transport goods through and to Austria each year.

The ministry also points out that the Serbian side has promised that it will issue permits only to trucks with Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines in case the quotas are expanded.

Furthermore, the Serbian side has indicated that it is ready to further increase the usage of combined transport, the so-called RoLa system, whereby cargo vehicles travel a part of the route on rail cars. Last year, the number of Serbian trucks using the RoLa system rose by 36%.

Austrian trade union Vida

Ministry of Transport of Austria

expansion of quotas for trucks from Serbia in Austria

transit of cargo vehicles from Serbia through Austria

Roman Hebenstreit

Karl Delfis

Norbert Hofer

RoLa system

combined transport

Euro 5 engines

Euro 6 engines