We love free shipping and fast deliveries. It has become a matter of course in online shopping – the goods must arrive, quickly and free of charge. But behind the facade of efficiency and comfort there is a group of workers who are overlooked and grossly exploited. The van drivers, the ones who ensure that your parcels arrive at your door, often work in degrading conditions for a salary that in some cases can be as low as NOK 50 an hour. How can this be possible in Norway? The answer lies in the lack of regulation in the van industry. Without generalized wage rates, there is freedom for unscrupulous actors who pay their drivers far below what is acceptable in Norwegian working life. Now both the Norwegian Labor Inspectorate and Økokrim are asking that van drivers should receive a minimum wage. But there are strong financial interests pushing against it, so that you as the recipient get “free shipping”. You are unknowingly contributing to vulnerable people being exploited by criminals Today there is no minimum wage for van drivers, which makes them vulnerable to social dumping. The A-crime center has repeatedly uncovered undeclared work, gross violations of the Working Environment Act, and cases of wages so low that they barely cover the drivers’ living costs. Often it is foreign workers who are exploited, people who may not know their rights in Norway. When these drivers are left with NOK 16,000 a month and often work 12 hours a day, it becomes clear that we have a problem. NOK 50 an hour At the same time, there is great opposition from the employer side to generalizing a minimum wage in the van industry. NHO and the Norwegian Lorry Association (NLF) have been clear about their concerns. They fear that the introduction of generalized wage rates will make it more difficult for smaller players to compete and operate profitably. NLF has particularly expressed concern that van drivers will start earning the same as truck drivers, even though the requirements for competence and responsibility are different. For NLF, lorry drivers are an occupational group with higher requirements for both certification and experience, and they therefore believe that it is not right to give van drivers the same wage rates. They also fear that a minimum wage could lead to increased costs for transport buyers, which could ultimately affect the competitive situation in the industry. But are these fears justified? The fact is that many van drivers today have a salary that is barely enough to live on, some as low as NOK 50 an hour. It is not about giving them the same salary as the truck drivers, but about ensuring that they have a recognized minimum wage that gives them a decent basis to live on. It is also important to point out that a fair wage will not only lift the drivers, but also contribute to a more level playing field in the industry, where the serious players are no longer outcompeted by those who exploit the workforce. “Free shipping” is too tempting We as consumers have a responsibility for what we contribute to. At the same time, it is often the case that when you choose how you want the package delivered, there is no alternative that is “more socially sustainable” than another. Therefore, it is the companies, those who order and organize the transport, who must first and foremost be held responsible, since it is the transport companies who pay the driver. But our need for “free shipping” can help oppress the drivers. Yrkestrafikkforbundet is working to ensure that van drivers receive a national minimum wage. This will not only protect the drivers against social dumping, but also ensure that all players operate on equal terms. When employers oppose a minimum wage, we risk continuing to be an industry where drivers are at the mercy of unscrupulous employers. We can no longer accept that drivers work for wages that are far below what is livable in Norway. Demanding a minimum wage It is high time that we introduce a minimum wage for van drivers. It will not only ensure them a living wage, but also help make the industry fairer and less attractive to criminals. NOK 222 per hour. It is the wage demand that the van drivers are now fighting for. We can choose to ignore the problems in the van industry and let drivers continue to be exploited. Or we can take action and demand that the large companies that use cheap transport must ensure that the drivers receive a fair wage. The resistance from employers, especially NHO and NLF, is understandable when you think about the costs associated with a universal minimum wage. But we have to ask ourselves: What weighs more heavily – the company’s bottom line or people’s right to a decent wage and working conditions? “Free shipping” is not as free as you think. The next time you get a package delivered to your door, think about what is behind the “free” delivery. There are drivers who work long hours for a salary that is far too low. It is time that van drivers also get a working day to live with and a salary to live on. Send us your opinion Want to write? Feel free to contact us at news Ytring with your post. The guidelines can be found here. Published 20.09.2024, at 14.03
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More expensive than you think – Statement
