Consultation contribution on a new EU Delivery Act

In the position, CESI welcomes the European Commission’s envisaged initiative to modernise the EU regulatory framework for postal and delivery services through a new EU Delivery Act - under the precondition that it enhances fair working conditions for postal and delivery workers.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: "Replacing the current EU Postal Services Directive 97/67/EC and EU Cross-Border Parcel Delivery Regulation 2018/644, a new EU Delivery Act can only provide an opportunity to shape a sustainable, fair and future-oriented postal and parcel sector in Europe if fair working conditions are addressed."

The position stresses that the EU Delivery Act must in no way foster competition based on bad labour conditions. Instead, it should strengthen the essential networks who provide the universal service, guarantee high-quality employment and protect both citizens as consumers and workers as employees in the sector from the negative consequences of unchecked liberalisation. It calls on the EU institutions to adopt an EU Delivery Act which

1. safeguards the universal postal serviceobligations (USOs),

2. fosters a sustainable financing of universal services,

3. ensures decent and healthy work conditionsas well as fair competition,

4. embeds the green and digitaltransitions, and

5. gives a strong role to national regulatory authorities (NRAs) and social partners in the implementation and monitoring of the law, especially to safeguard fair working conditions.

Klaus Heeger added: "The EU Delivery Act must in no way foster competition based on bad labour conditions. Instead, it should strengthen the essential networks who provide the universal service, guarantee high-quality employment and protect both citizens as consumers and workers as employees in the sector from the negative consequences of unchecked liberalisation. The EU Delivery Act must be an opportunity to make Europe’s postal and parcel delivery sector a driver of fairness, cohesion and sustainability – for citizens, workers, and businesses alike. CESI supports an Act that ensures fair competition for all involved actors and implements the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights in the postal and delivery market."

The full position is available here.