Attention to the story of Ester Boogaard, inspector at the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate. She tells about the night inspections that the ILT carried out in 2021 on parcel transport to and from depots. These joint actions are carried out in the context of TIEC (Transport Information and Expertise Centre) and are aimed at reducing abuses in the transport sector.
It is 11 o'clock in the evening, in an industrial area where the trucks full of packages are driving back and forth. A number of cars arrive at the depot. From the police, the Dutch Labor Inspectorate and the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). ILT inspector Ester Boogaard announces the inspection at the depot. She and the 14 other enforcers have a long night ahead of them.
"The ILT carried out night inspections on parcel transport to and from depots in 2021. These joint actions are carried out in a TIEC (Transport Information and Expertise Center) context and are aimed at reducing abuses in the transport sector."
not amused
"We start with a briefing at 22.00 p.m. Then we drive to the depot. I come in and report that we are going to conduct an inspection. The reactions to that are varied. Sometimes people are fine with it and other times they are not amused† Then it goes very quickly. We put the cars we came with in front of the trucks. The Dutch Labor Inspectorate asks the drivers questions, the ILT and the police check, among other things, for permits and driving and rest times. At such a moment we can draw up an official report or fine report. Sometimes drivers are not allowed to drive any further. Everything really happens. We start at 22.00 PM and continue until 03.00 AM. This gives you a good idea of what happens during a night. Fortunately, we usually get coffee!” says Ester.
A lot goes wrong at night.
“By reading the driver cards, we check driving and rest times. Certainly the latter often goes wrong. Sometimes there is not even a driver card. Or drivers drive on someone else's card in order to work more hours. Then the check is soon finished. A fine report will follow. Furthermore, transport companies need a license to carry out professional transport and there is an employment requirement. That is a kind of employer's statement. A driver must be employed. All these rules are not only important to prevent unfair competition, but also ensure safety on the road. We check the depots of 4 major postal companies, but we mainly look at the subcontractors and all the layers below them. That is where things often go wrong.”
Read the full story here† Do you work in the courier industry? See which rules you must adhere to.
"Of course we all order a lot more. As a result, more courier companies have been started."
