[Publication] Relaunching transport and tourism in the EU after COVID-19 – Part II Transport workers

This thematic briefing is part of a set of briefings focusing on the challenges the transport and tourism sectors face as a consequence of the pandemic. It focuses on the topic of transport workers, who have been particularly affected by the repercussions of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions in the transport industry. Transport-related jobs often require workers to be physically present and to interact with colleagues or passengers. Such jobs cannot be carried out remotely, thus requiring additional measures to curb the spreading of the virus. It is estimated that 2.3 million transport and storage workers in the European Union are put at risk losing their jobs due to the pandemic.

Urban transport workers experience many risks. The increase in road traffic due to the rise in e-commerce means an increase in their work load, with consequences in terms of fatigue. Furthermore, many of the food home delivery and ride-hailing platforms’ workers do not receive personal protective equipment from the platforms, and are instead pressured into working under unsafe conditions. The use of digital technology, for example in e-ticketing, has been implemented to replace contact with passengers, but may be a concern for those with insufficient technological access.

Road transport workers suffer from the impacts of trade restrictions and travel bans. Unpredictable and long waiting times at borders, due in part to the additional controls carried out at national borders, have led to drivers being fined for violating driving time limitations. The temporary relaxation of the regulations on driving times and resting period increased the workload of drivers and led to an increased risk of fatigue and accidents.

Rail transport workers meet with hundreds of passengers every day. Unless social distancing measures are enforced, it is hard to carry out controls at railway stations while protecting personnel and passengers. In this regard, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) has adopted guidelines recommending that states implement measures to track passengers after a COVID-19 case has been identified.

At the beginning of the pandemic and due to travel restrictions, workers abroad such as seafarers were unable to be repatriated and were stranded across the globe. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) called for designating seafarers as essential workers, to allow them to keep operating under acceptable conditions. The European Commission has also promoted guidelines to ensure the safe transit of staff and passengers. Workers in the cruise industry are experiencing a different kind of problem. The hospitality cruise workforce is often not included in governmental job retention schemes. This has created animosity and confusion among workers of this sector who, if unwilling to return to their jobs, will cause longer recovery times for the industry.

Aviation is one of the most precarious sectors. Globally, direct aviation jobs are forecasted to fall by 4.8 million by the beginning 2022, resulting in a contraction of 43% when compared to the pre-pandemic situation. Most airline groups have already planned major cuts in personnel, despite governments devising schemes for subsidies, cash injections and loans to protect the sector.