Why are Lithuanian transport companies going bankrupt?

 

Reader_B90AD4:

“It is not surprising that transport companies are going bankrupt. The Lithuanian government is creating more favorable conditions for drivers from third countries, who are not subject to any restrictions on diesel imports into the territory of Lithuania. One truck can import up to 1,500 liters of diesel from Belarus or Russia, where the price of a liter is about 0.70 euros, while Lithuanian drivers are forced to buy fuel locally - for about 2.20 euros per liter. Who wins and who loses in such a situation, decide for yourself. For comparison, only about 200 liters of diesel are allowed to be imported into Latvia from Russia or Belarus. However, this topic is not discussed publicly in Lithuania. One gets the impression that it is staying on the sidelines until someone is paid to talk about this smuggled diesel that is destroying Lithuanian transporters.

In addition, some Lithuanian companies seem to be finding new business models: instead of investing in transport, they focuses on the employment of drivers from third countries. Contracts are concluded with Lithuanian companies, formally indicating work in Lithuania, but in reality the drivers work in other countries, for example, Germany or France. The fee for such a service is about 130 euros per day, of which about 100 euros goes to the driver and 30 euros to the company. It is easy to calculate that when working with 50 drivers, such a scheme can generate significant income. At the same time, questions arise about control: neither abroad nor in Lithuania, it seems, does anyone check whether the drivers actually work according to the declared conditions. Such a situation creates a breeding ground for abuse, and the lack of transparency raises doubts about fair competition in the transport sector.”