Ten years of the European Platform tackling undeclared work: a decade of results
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Today the European Labour Authority marks the 10th anniversary of the European Platform tackling undeclared work, celebrating ten years of cooperation to promote declared work, protect workers’ rights and support fair labour markets across the EU.
Established by the European Commission on 11 March 2016, the Platform brings together labour inspectorates, tax administrations, social security institutions, social partners, and experts from across Europe. Since joining ELA, it has become a practical forum for exchanging tools, methods, and enforcement practices.
A decade of cooperation
Over the past ten years, the Platform has helped Member States strengthen cooperation for tackling undeclared work effectively.
Key activities include:
- Peer learning dialogues: sharing prevention & inspection practices and innovative policy approaches across countries
- Staff exchanges: allowing officials from national authorities to work alongside their counterparts in other Member States
- Mutual assistance programmes: supporting joint responses to cross-border undeclared work
- Coordinated inspections: enabling simultaneous enforcement actions across several countries
These initiatives help national authorities improve prevention & inspection methods, share expertise, and develop practical tools to tackle undeclared work more effectively.
Innovation in labour inspection
The Platform also supports the use of new technologies in labour inspections. Members have exchanged experience on tools such as drones and electronic worker identification systems, which allow inspectors to verify employment status directly on site and improve inspection efficiency.
Raising awareness of declared work
Alongside enforcement activities, the Platform promotes the benefits of declared work across Europe.
The #DeclaredWorkBenefitsAll campaign, running until 11 March 2026, uses videos, social media, leaflets, in close cooperation with national authorities to highlight how declared work:
- protects workers' rights – ensuring access to social protection, fair pay, and safe working conditions
- supports fair competition for businesses – levelling the playing field for companies that comply with the rules
strengthens social protection systems – contributing to sustainable public finances and solidarity across the EU
Looking ahead
The anniversary will be marked at the ELA Conference on Declared work and the 20th Platform plenary meeting, taking place on 12–13 May 2026, bringing together policymakers, enforcement authorities, social partners, and experts from across Europe to discuss progress and future cooperation.
Find out more and get involved:
Follow #DeclaredWorkBenefitsAll