Improving the treatment of drivers at delivery sites
The road transport industry is the backbone of our global economy and plays an essential role in people’s daily lives and mobility. However, the sector is facing serious social, labour and economic challenges and is experiencing a serious driver shortage, which was only temporarily alleviated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As industry stakeholders, we are committed to reversing this trend and are taking action to increase the attractiveness of the sector and highlight the quality of the jobs available. The International Road Transport Union (IRU), the Global Shippers’ Alliance (GSA) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have joined forces and are working together to improve tangibly the current situation, starting with this charter.
The primary objective of this charter is to improve the treatment of drivers at collection and delivery sites and thereby improve working conditions, increase operational efficiency, and ultimately, contribute to making the driving profession more attractive.
We recognise the importance of adhering to common values and promoting cooperation on the ground, to tackle efficiently the current challenges we face. Our partnership is therefore based on the following shared principles:
- Road transport is vital to mobility, the supply chain and the global economy.
- Professional drivers are a key asset in the supply chain.
- The severity and urgency of the shortage of professional drivers necessitates urgent action by a wider alliance of stakeholders.
- The treatment of drivers at collection and delivery sites is one of the key elements to improving the attractiveness of the profession, and thus tackling the driver shortage.
- Lack of safe access to sanitation facilities can have an impact on the health and safety of all drivers. Safe, hygienic sanitation facilities could contribute to the recruitment and retention of both young and women drivers into the industry, and address driver shortage.
- Legal compliance and mutual respect will remain at the core of our common values.
All interested industry stakeholders are encouraged to join the initiative and lead by example. Signatories will contribute to making the road transport industry a better place to work and must be committed to improving the current working conditions.
Join IRU, ITF and GSA by signing the Charter and commit to improving the treatment of drivers at company premises.
Commitment for all parties
- Ensure respectful and non-discriminatory communication between all parties involved in pick-up, delivery and transport operations.
- Plan and execute operations safely, securely and efficiently.
- Advise the relevant parties in due time about any changes that might affect an operation, including early arrivals or delays.
- Provide contact points to whom parties can report early arrivals or delays, as well as emergencies and incidents.
- Ensure mutual trust and cooperation between all parties involved in transport operations.
- Ensure drivers have easy and safe access to sanitary equipment and facilities to foster driver well-being during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commitment for shippers
- Provide drivers with access to:
- suitable, appropriately equipped for men and women respectively, conveniently located, private, well lit, ventilated and secure sanitary facilities for women and men which are free of charge to use.
- other on-site welfare facilities, such as break rooms, cafeterias and changing rooms, that meet the relevant standards and are proportionate to the size of the shipper's facilities.
- Ensure that available facilities are operated correctly and establish effective maintenance and cleaning systems.
- Provide properly trained personnel on site for loading and unloading activities.
- Provide drivers with access to safe and secure parking (overnight where possible) that is suitable for heavy goods vehicles.
- Guarantee the safety of drivers at the shippers’ premises by ensuring that the appropriate areas are well-lit, pedestrian zones and waiting zones are clearly marked, and there is sufficient space for trucks to manoeuvre.
- Ensure that provisions are made for the aforementioned infrastructure (accessible sanitary facilities, pedestrian zones, and sufficient, spacious, well-lit, safe and secure parking areas) when constructing new sites.
- Ensure the overall safety, efficiency and speed of pick-up, delivery and transport operations by:
- Allocating slots to avoid queuing at gates, as well as communicating and reallocating slots in case of delays/incidents.
- Taking into account driving/working time constraints when planning ramp management/slot allocation.
- Providing accurate paperwork in due time, minimising loading/unloading times, and facilitating the integration of such times in the overall working time of drivers, taking into account the relevant regulatory constraints.
- Ensuring the availability of sufficient qualified personnel to process deliveries and assist drivers, including outside of regular loading/unloading hours.
- Guaranteeing safe and secure operations on site by delivering clear instructions including the relevant facility characteristics and updates on the shipment status, and closely supervising all operations as far as possible.
- Provide flexible collection and delivery windows in good agreement between the parties, taking into account external factors that might influence operations.
- Acknowledge applicable driving and rest time rules, working time and tachograph regulations to minimise internal movement during any loading or unloading operation.
Commitment for transport operators
- Provide the necessary and appropriate trucks that are fit for purpose, to facilitate loading and unloading tasks, in line with contractual obligations.
- Provide the necessary and relevant training and ensure fair and legally compliant contractual arrangements for drivers.
- Provide clear and concise information about collection and delivery sites to the driver, if this information is available in advance.
- Make drivers aware of the specificities of the transport operation/delivery including the potential impact on their driving and working time, and of the need to inform ramp workers sufficiently in advance of their remaining driving/working time or necessary breaks.
Commitment for drivers
- Use shippers’ facilities respectfully, including bathrooms, break rooms and cafeterias.
- Respect safety and other instructions.
- Communicate incidents, early or late arrivals, product issues, and loading/unloading operations in real time.
- Avoid stop-and-go vehicle movements when approaching the ramp in order to limit driving time.
- Inform ramp workers sufficiently in advance of your remaining driving/working time or necessary breaks.