How complex subcontracting chains are driving exploitation, social dumping, and a race to the bottom in European road transport
The parcel that arrives at your door has likely travelled through a labyrinth. A common practice for subcontracting in road transport is the following: A client places an order with a transport supplier. This could be a transport company that employs its own drivers, or a logistics company provided with a wider service than only road transport, or a freight forwarder who does not own assets and would always subcontract to others. The company that ultimately carries the load and its drivers would often not even know which companies are involved in the contracting chain. Many transport companies subcontract work to others. This is common in the industry and is not always a problem. It becomes a problem when the subcontracting chain is long and unclear. In these cases, both companies and drivers may not know the rules, compliance standards, or human rights requirements set by the main contractor. When responsibility is unclear and oversight is weak, exploitation and social dumping are more likely to happen. (....)