Hauliers driving goods to or from France must abide by new minimum wage regulations coming into play on 1 July or face fines.
The rules mean all hauliers operating in France, including loading/unloading and any cabotage journeys, must provide proof their drivers are paid the French minimum wage, which is €9.67 (£8.02) an hour.
While the wage level is unlikely to be problematic for UK hauliers, the administrative burden and subsequent fines for failing to comply could cause headaches for those affected.
Operators must provide drivers with a copy of their contract of employment and a Secondment Certificate, issued before the journey and valid up to six months, which can be downloaded from travail-emploi.gouv.fr.
A representative based in France must also be appointed by the UK haulier who can liaise with French officials for the duration of the journey and 18 months afterwards. This person must have access to all driver records, including pay and working hours.
Fines of up to €750 could be issued to operators if drivers are found to be in breach of the rules and not holding the correct documents in the cab.
EC legal proceedings have been started against France, as the regulations are claimed to impede free movement of goods across member states.
