Truck drivers working in the Netherlands for companies based in other EU countries are being exploited by unscrupulous employers, trade unionists have warned.

The FNV has highlighted the case of four drivers from Central Asia who have been protesting for weeks at a truckers’ rest area in Venlo.

The men say they have had their wages withheld by their Lithuanian-based employers and their trucks have been remotely disabled, forcing them to light gas burners in their cabs to keep warm.

EU rules allow haulage firms to hire drivers from third countries to transport goods across the 27-nation bloc, but while in the Netherlands they must comply with Dutch labour laws on minimum wages, paid holidays and working conditions.

“We are concerned about the safety of these drivers and the human rights violations that are taking place here,” FNV union official Edwin Atema told NU.nl.

“Lie to police”

The men say they have come under pressure to manipulate the tachographs in their trucks that monitor their speed, driving hours and rest periods. They also claim they were instructed to lie to police and border officials.

Atema claimed that their employers sent an eight-strong hit squad to force the drivers to end their protest against exploitation and intimidation. The men also say they have had crucial documents including work permits withheld.

“One of my union colleagues was threatened and had his phone snatched,” he said. “We called the police and they stepped in.”

The FNV says labour inspectors are struggling to keep up with the growing problem of exploitation in the sector.

In January a driver from Uzbekistan was recognised as a victim of human trafficking by the Dutch labour inspectorate.

The man, who was working for the Lithuanian-based firm Baltic Transline, parked his truck in Venlo and refused to continue, claiming he had not received his full salary once in the six months he had worked for the company.

“Walk round a truck stop and nine of the 10 drivers are from outside the EU,” Atema said. “Their employers ignore the rules and don’t observe the working conditions that apply here, because they know they’ll get away with it.”

A spokesman for the labour inspectorate told NU.nl it was aware of the situation in Venlo. “Our colleagues have visited the site several times to investigate and gain more insight into the situation,” the spokesman said. “Up until now we have not reached any definitive outcome or conclusion.”