Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN) has commenced legal action against the Dutch government over mail sector liberalisation in the Netherlands.
The German mail, express and logistics group filed a complaint against its Netherlands-based subsidiary Deutsche Post Selekt Mail, with the European Commission competition body.
The Dutch government has continuously postponed the ending of the mail monopoly in that country held by TNT Group, which is allegedly violating the principal of mail market liberalisation. For the second time, Dutch Economy Minister Frank Heemskerk has announced a postponement due to "uncertainties" over the nature of European mail market deregulation which would impact labour issues.
The irony is that TNT Group is taking legal action in Germany against the German Government which TNT asserts is blocking market liberalisation there through insisting on a minimum wage to be applied only within the mail sector. The legislation was passed under pressure from the German postal unions, which were fearful of the effects of competition on their members.
DPWN refutes the Dutch government’s arguments claiming that "the allegation of an insufficient competition in the neighbour countries, especially in Germany, is just an excuse". DPWN also claims that "the renewed delay only serves the interests of TNT."
In 2007, mail market liberalisation was finally agreed upon within the EU. Resistance from trade unions in the national postal organisations has also been effective in pressuring German politicians to implement the reforms though expected that progress would be slow in southern European countries.