EU Elaborates Concerted Joint Inspections for Labour Mobility

• ELA supported 236 cross-border inspections from 2021 to December 2024.
• Almost 19,000 workers were checked in sectors where closer cooperation is needed.
• CJIs have expanded geographically and sectorally, with a focus on road transport, construction, HORECA, labour exploitation, and remuneration.
• Over 30 different authorities participated in CJIs, including labour inspectorates, police, customs, immigration, tax, civil protection authorities, and social partner organisations.

ELA aims to step up cross-border cooperation in enforcement leading to frequent and increasingly systematic concerted and joint inspections

In recent years, the European Labour Authority (ELA) has been actively supporting Member States in tackling labour mobility abuses through concerted and joint inspections (CJIs). These inspections have become increasingly frequent and systematic, with ELA providing conceptual, logistical, and technical support to enforcement bodies. From 2021 to December 2024, a total of 236 cross-border inspections were supported by ELA, resulting in the checking of almost 19,000 workers in sectors where closer cooperation between national authorities is needed.

The scope of these CJIs has expanded geographically and sectorally, with ELA aiming to fully exploit the potential of analyses and risk assessments available both in Member States and at ELA. This expansion has led to a significant increase in targeted and preventive enforcement actions, including 'weeks of action' focused on specific sectors such as road transport, construction, HORECA, labour exploitation, and remuneration.

The increasing complexity of labour mobility abuses has necessitated more cooperation at the cross-border level. CJIs can effectively tackle complex irregularities and fraud schemes by combining resources, information, and knowledge from various enforcement bodies. ELA's role in facilitating and enhancing cooperation between Member States is crucial in enforcing relevant EU rules on labour mobility and social security coordination across the Union.

The involvement of over 30 different authorities in CJIs, including labour and social security inspectorates, police, customs, immigration, tax, civil protection authorities, and social partner organisations, highlights the collaborative nature of these inspections. ELA's support for targeted cross-border inspections and sectoral or thematic intensified enforcement actions demonstrates its commitment to expanding cooperation in enforcement.

The increasing use of CJIs by EU Member States has significant implications for lawyers and compliance officers. As these inspections become more frequent and systematic, they may trigger targeted enforcement actions and intensified sectoral or thematic enforcement efforts. Compliance with labour mobility rules is crucial, and companies operating across borders must be aware of the potential risks associated with CJIs.

ELA's efforts to step up cross-border cooperation in enforcement are essential in tackling labour mobility abuses. By expanding the geographic and sectoral scope of CJIs, ELA aims to contribute to a more coordinated approach to enforcing EU rules on labour mobility and social security coordination.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the increasing use of concerted and joint inspections by EU Member States to tackle labour mobility abuses, which may trigger targeted enforcement actions and intensified sectoral or thematic enforcement efforts.

Source: Original reporting via European Labour Authority