Tag: Domestic

Ongoing delivery problems in Edinburgh (UK)

Posted by | Jun 12, 2008 | |

Postwatch Scotland published the results of a second study of the delivery service residents in EH3 are experiencing. This follows a study undertaken in 2006 which revealed considerable problems in the area, after which Royal Mail promised to introduce a number of improvements, including having more regular delivery officers on the routes.

One in five has suffered lost post, while 17 per cent have had letters and parcels delayed, according to a survey by Postwatch Scotland. It said the results in the EH3 postcode area, which includes Edinburgh’s New Town, were “symptomatic of the problems Royal Mail has in delivering to the whole of Scotland”.

In 2006, Postwatch Scotland carried out a study of more than 400 addresses which showed seven out of ten had experienced misdelivery, more than half had received mail for entirely different addresses and one in three had been given post that was meant for neighbours in the same building.

The study covers delivery experiences between 2nd January and 31st March 2008

Read More

Deutsche Post and Selekt Mail file complaint against extension of mail monopoly in the Netherlands

Posted by | Jun 11, 2008 | |

Deutsche Post World Net and Deutsche Post Selekt Mail Nederland C.V. filed a joint complaint with the European Commission today to protest the renewed delay of the opening of the mail market in the Netherlands. Basis for the complaint is the Dutch government’s decision not to end the mail monopoly as planned on July 1, 2008, but to extend it indefinitely, thereby creating a competitive advantage for Post TNT of the Netherlands.

Through their decision, the Netherlands join the group of opponents against a liberalization who refuse the uniform opening of postal markets in Europe and continue to count on market foreclosure instead of competition.

Under the European law, a member state may reserve the national postal market exclusively for one provider only if this approach plays an essential role in financing the universal service. However, the statements of the Dutch government clearly show that the renewed delay only serves the interests of TNT. The Dutch government’s activities are, therefore, a clear violation of European legislation.

The allegation of an insufficient competition in the neighbor countries, especially in Germany, is just an excuse. The German postal market has been completely open since January 1, 2008. An indefinite delay protects the home market of the Dutch TNT that has been acting in Germany for years and that has unlimited business opportunities since the fall of the mail monopoly there.

In anticipation of liberalization, DP Selekt Mail, like other TNT competitors, has already made extensive investments. For this reason, Deutsche Post and DP Selekt Mail are calling on the Commission to act promptly and to eliminate the unacceptable distortion of competition contrary to European law in the Dutch postal market as soon as possible.

Read More

Dutch government to liberalise postal market from Jan 1, 2009

Posted by | Jun 11, 2008 | |

Dutch Economic Affairs State Secretary Frank Heemskerk promised the Dutch coalition government parties on Tuesday that he will work towards liberalising the Dutch postal market from January 1, 2009, Dutch media reported.

In May, the Dutch government decided against opening up the postal market to competition on July 1, 2008, stressing there are too many uncertainties to allow for full liberalisation.

But Heemskerk was confronted with a parliamentary motion backed by the coalition parties Christian Democrat CDA, Labour PvdA and the Christian Union on Tuesday in which January 1, 2009, was suggested as a new targeted date for liberalisation, Dutch media reported.

Heemskerk said he will maximise efforts to meet the targeted date, but added that liberalisation will still be subject to two conditions, namely a level playing field in Europe and good workplace conditions for postal deliverers, the reports added.

Read More

Dutch minister sees no post liberalisation until fair competition in Germany and UK

Posted by | Jun 11, 2008 | |

Dutch Economic Affairs State Secretary Frank Heemskerk said Wednesday he won’t take the decision to liberalise the Dutch postal market until fair competition exists in the German and UK markets, and postal workers are given a satisfactory employment contract.

The statement came after Deutsche Post World Net AG. filed a complaint with the European Commission to protest against the renewed delay of the opening of the mail market in the Netherlands.

The Dutch government on Tuesday decided not to end the mail monopoly as planned on July 1 2008 but to extend it indefinitely.

Both the Dutch government and national carrier TNT NV are unhappy about the German government’s introduction of a sector-wide minimum wage of up to 9.80 euros, saying it prevents fair competition within the German market.

TNT says that, unlike its rivals, Deutsche Post enjoys an unfair advantage through a VAT exemption on 40 pct of its operations in Germany.

A Berlin court ruled in March that a German law imposing a minimum wage at all companies in the letter-carrier industry is illegal.

The German government appealed the decision, with a higher court expected to rule in September, a TNT spokesman said.

Heemskerk said he will update parliament on the situation by October 1

Read More

Postal service to get new legal framework in Vietnam

Posted by | Jun 10, 2008 | |

Viet Nam is updating the set of laws surrounding the post in order to guide postal activities and control new market developments, especially the participation of domestic and foreign logistics companies.

Viet Nam would also raise the quality of postal services by separating the post from telecommunications and establishing an independent postal enterprise, the Viet Nam Posts Corporation, said Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Nguyen Thanh Hung.

He said the ministry was considering raising the price of postage stamps from VND800 to between VND1,200-VND1,500.

Hung said the present price was below operating costs, but added that a hike would help local postal operators improve postal networks and invest in new technologies, as the Government was still paying compensation for losses in the postal sector. However, he said the timing of any hike would not be decided until next year.

Hung was speaking as about 150 delegates from 30 countries gathered in Ha Noi for the 31st Asian Pacific Postal Executive Council (APPU-EC) meeting.

They will focus on such things as domestic express mail services (EMS), mail security and e-business.

According to the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC), several new postal services will be outlined at the meeting, such as e-post from South Korea.

“The aim is to strengthen co-operation among postal administrations in the Asia Pacific region,” said Nguyen Thanh Hung.

Hung said the five-day event would also discuss and harmonise regional views on proposals for the Universal Postal Union Congress later this year.

“Viet Nam continues to develop its postal sector, and I hope the event will help us gain more practical experience from member countries,” said Hung

Read More

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

P&P Poll

Loading

What's the future of the postal USO?

Thank you for voting
You have already voted on this poll!
Please select an option!



View ResultsHide Results

Post & Parcel Magazine


Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.

Subscribe to the Magazine

 

Pin It on Pinterest