Changes on the Labour Market in Cargo Traffic and Their Conditioning Factors in the Period of Economic Crisis

Abstract

According to Central Statistics Office, in the period from January to September 2009, the average employment in the business sector in transport and supply management increased by 1.1% to the previous year rate. However, the sectors dynamics in the following months of 2009 dropped gradually and in September 2009 we could already observe under-employment, compared to the same period in previous year, by 0.7% (cf. Notices on the socioeconomic situation of the country I-IX 2009, source data Oct 22 2009). The employment in vehicle, trailers, and semitrailers production decreased, as compared to the corresponding period in 2008, in the previous three quarters by 12.8%, which has been significant factor for the present state and future investments of enterprises in the road services sector, in the recent period and in the near future. In the meantime, the number of unemployed registered by the end of September 2009 increased considerably by 24.6%, compared with September 2008, bearing evidence of the economic crisis, already noticeable in Poland in the second half of 2008. The aim of this article is to analyse the current situation on the job market in the profession of a truck driver, both inthe all-Poland and provincial perspective, including factors determining the supply and demand in the light of the latest regulations concerning this particular job class. First part of the article analyses the situation of the line of cargo traffic in Poland at the beginning of 21st century until the time of crisis, as well as tendencies observed in this business area in certain countries of the European Union. Second part concerns mainly modifications of legal terms, determining the access to the profession of a truck driver. Third part focuses on detailed analysis of statistical data in the years 2007-2009. Conclusions drawn from the research, and possible changes of the current situation are featured in the last section of the article.