The third largest European pavilion and a major player in international road transport, the Spanish pavilion went through a difficult period after the 2008 global economic crisis. The latest 2010 CNR study on Spanish road transport reported that the sector was in serious difficulty, seeking solutions to reduce its costs in the face of growing competition from Eastern European countries. In 2015, the CNR renewed its study in a more optimistic general economic environment: growth is picking up and the unemployment rate is falling. 

The 2015 edition reveals significant developments:

• The use of drivers from Eastern Europe who accept poorer working conditions and lower pay than their Spanish colleagues is now a thing of the past. They are now an integral part of the system, on an equal footing with their Spanish counterparts.
• Labour law reforms have brought flexibility by making it easier to dismiss employees and introducing «fixed-term and intermittent» contracts. This type of contract allows transport companies to release an employee for a predefined period and then rehire them afterwards.
• Economic and social measures have kept the cost of drivers down compared to 2010. They remain 36% cheaper than their French counterparts.
• Mileage allowances are becoming institutionalised. They are beginning to be recognised in certain collective agreements. They can be used as compensation for overtime or night work. 

These changes are bearing fruit. The Spanish pavilion returned to growth in 2014 for the first time since the crisis. Its domestic business continues to decline, but this is offset by growth in international business.

The CNR invites you to discover the new study on Spanish TRM, supplemented by a summary that includes comparisons with France.