9 April 2013

The Nordic labour inspectorates: Roles, strategies and tools in the work against social dumping

- A Nordic pilot study

Report by Line Eldring, Fafo, Kerstin Ahlberg, Stockholm University and Klaus Pedersen, FAOS

In the wake of EU enlargement to Central and Eastern Europe in 2004 and 2007, the Nordic countries have experienced new challenges when it comes to securing decent work and wages for labour migrants and posted workers. The Nordic labour inspectorates are facing similar challenges, and play a central, but varying role, when it comes to combating 'social dumping' of foreign labour. Due to these challenges, there is a need for both an overview and more knowledge on the differences in the regulatory systems, control mechanisms and the national labour inspectorates tools, organisation, mandate and strategies when it comes to target the challenges related to the influx of foreign labour and companies in the national labour markets. The report presents the results from a pilot study that mapped the labour inspectorates efforts in this demanding field. The purpose is to give an overview and to contribute to further debates and analysis of the preconditions for efficient control and enforcement within different regulatory regimes, and the possible effect when it comes to securing a decent working life for mobile workers.

The report is published by Nordisk Ministerråd. 

Contact person at FAOS: Søren Kaj Andersen

Read the full report (in Norwegian)