This was ELA’s second week of Action in the construction sector in 2023. Inspections took place in six Member States and national authorities from 12 Member States were actively involved. In total, 196 companies were inspected and 400 workers interviewed. 113 possible infringements were detected.

During the Week of Action, inspections took place in six Member States and national authorities from 12 Member States were actively involved: labour inspectorates, social security, customs, immigration, health and safety, and tax authorities from Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. In total, 196 companies were inspected and 400 workers interviewed. 113 possible infringements were detected. This collaborative effort enabled the authorities to address a broad spectrum of irregularities effectively.

The Second Week of Action in Construction sector in numbers

• 400 workers interviewed
• 196 companies checked
• 16 construction sites inspected
• 113 possible infringements detected
• 153 control officers involved, including observers from other participating Member States and ELA staff
• 12 Member States participated in total

The inspections centred on issues related to subcontracting chains, potential letterbox companies, non-genuine posting of workers and undeclared work. Preliminary results showed cases of undeclared work, posting of workers with missing or incorrect A1 portable documents, bogus self-employment and use of fake passports. Other irregularities related to occupational safety and health standards, for example dangers like falling, lack of safety gear, and exposure to hazardous materials.

Thanks to the cooperation between the host and participating Member States, and to the coordination and support provided by ELA, this successful Week of Action was possible. This collaboration has for example facilitated the selection of construction sites and companies owing to increased information exchange and risk assessment, contributing to more impactful inspections.

Romania and Hungary carried out a cross-border inspection in the construction sector under ELA’s auspices for the first time during this Week of Action. The inspection was hosted by Hungary and targeted working conditions in large construction sites in Budapest, where a significant number of workers from Romania, but also third-country nationals, were present. More than 50 undeclared workers were detected, as well as 4 cases of bogus self-employed workers and one case of a third-country national worker without a residence permit. The involvement of the Romanian labour inspectors as observers helped the Hungarian authorities to communicate with the Romanian workers on the spot and contributed to even stronger cooperation between these two neighbouring countries.