ETF calls to action in view of COVID-19 spread

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The European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF), representing over 5m transport sector employees from more than 200 transport unions spread over 41 European countries, issued a call to action to the European Commission (EC) in order to better protect the sector’s workforce in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.

ETF acknowledged, that the emergency package, recently adopted by the EC, is a step in the right direction and should be speedily adopted by Eurogroup and Ecofin. The Federation also underlined the urgent need to act on prevention, as reports show that some employers are not taking the pandemic seriously and are therefore unnecessarily endangering their workers.

Given the situation, according to the ETF, transport services should be kept to what is strictly needed for supplying essential goods and to ensure essential passenger transport. What is not needed should be put on hold, and compensation measures should be implemented.

More details on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on transport workers can be found in the letter issued by the ETF to the EC, accessible here.