ELA supported first joint inspection in Iceland strengthening cooperation on fair labour mobility with the EEA countries
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The European Labour Authority (ELA) supported, with the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW), with the participation of inspectors from Norway, the first-ever joint workplace inspection in Iceland, marking an important milestone in the country’s cooperation with the Authority since joining in June 2025. The preventative inspection took place in Reykjavík on 19 May 2026. Also social partners organisations from Nordic countries participated in this inspection.
This first cross-border joint inspection in Iceland, facilitated by ELA, focused on the construction sector, one of the most mobile and high-risk sectors in terms of labour mobility and compliance challenges across Europe. The inspection took place at a major construction site, providing a practical opportunity to observe how labour standards are enforced in a sector that relies increasingly on mobile workers.
Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have participated fully in ELA activities since 1 June 2025, when they joined the Authority as EEA countries. Joint inspections are a key tool used by ELA to support cooperation between national authorities, ensuring that rules on labour mobility are respected and applied effectively.
The initiative highlighted the distinctive Icelandic labour market model, characterised by strong cooperation between social partners and public authorities. While public authorities are responsible for labour-market and occupational safety supervision, in Iceland, trade unions play an active role in monitoring compliance with labour law and collective agreements, and are authorised to conduct worksite inspections by law.
During the visit to Iceland, ELA participated also in a Nordic health and safety meeting, organised by the Nordic Building and Woodworkers’ Federation (NBTF) in cooperation with the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) in Reykjavík on 19 May 2026. In addition ELA representatives lead by the Executive Director, Cosmin Boiangiu, met with Iceland’s Minister of Social Affairs and Housing, Ragnar Þór Ingólfsson and with representatives of the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ) and the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise.
“We are particularly proud that ELA was able to provide concrete support to the first joint, non-targeted, inspection hosted by Iceland, which took place yesterday. This is an excellent example of ELA’s role in promoting cooperation between national authorities and, in this case, social partners, to ensure that labour mobility takes place in a fair and effective way across Europe. Concerted and joint Inspections are not obligatory tools, and the growing demand from Member States to participate in and host them clearly signals that we are moving in the right direction, providing concrete support to our stakeholders.”
A starting point for future cooperation
The joint inspection in Reykjavík represents an important step in Iceland’s integration into ELA activities and demonstrates the added value of coordinated European action.
It also provides a platform for mutual learning. Iceland’s strong model of cooperation between social partners and authorities offers valuable insights for other countries, while ELA brings experience from supporting joint inspections across Europe.
The mission and its outcomes are expected to pave the way for further joint activities, contributing to fair labour mobility and improved working conditions across the European Economic Area.
