EU plans to require that truck drivers return home every 8 weeks – sources

VILNIUS – The European Union plans to require that haulers draw up schedules for truck drivers to return home at least every eight weeks.

Such a provision is included into a preliminary agreement between the European Parliament and Finland, which represents member states, reached on Thursday morning, sources in Brussels told BNS.

The agreement is not final and still needs approval of member states.

European lawmakers earlier proposed requiring that businesses return drivers home at least every four weeks.

Lithuania and other Central and Eastern European countries criticized such proposals, stating that it will increase pollution and undermine fight against climate change.

Lithuanian businessmen and government representatives say western European countries wants stricter rules to push them out of the market.

Western Europeans say, however, more stringent rules will allow avoiding misuse and improving workers' situation.