Labour inspectors from the General Labour Inspectorate, together with their colleagues from Lithuania, participated in concerted and joint actions in the construction sector in the Kingdom of Belgium. The inspections were organized as part of the European Labour Authority's (ELA) campaign dedicated to posting in the sector #EU4FairConstruction.
After the GLI EA expressed interest in participating in joint actions with the Belgian authorities, the Bulgarian labour inspectors were invited by the ELA to take part in joint inspections at construction sites in the Knokke-Heist area where Bulgarians work. The joint actions were aimed at monitoring compliance with the labour and social security legislation at posting within the framework of the provision of services in construction. During the inspections, the inspectors from the GLI EA assisted in the communication with the Bulgarian workers, found at the construction sites, to clarify the actual working and posting conditions, as well as for a quick exchange of information with the Bulgarian control authorities. As a result of the joint actions, the Belgian authorities were able to identify cases of undeclared work on the spot.
Within the framework of the initiative, the representatives from Bulgaria, Lithuania and Belgium held discussions on national posting practices within the framework of the provision of services in construction, what are the challenges faced by the Member States from which the workers are posted or sent, as well as by the host countries where these workers work. Possibilities for improving the communication and exchange of information between the control authorities of the Member States were discussed in order to guarantee the labour and social security rights of posted workers.
One of the main elements for ensuring fair labour mobility in the sector is the provision of information about the rights and obligations of the participants.
As an active partner of the ELA in the #EU4FairConstruction campaign, at the initiative of the GLI EA, an information day was organized in Sofia on November 2, 2023 for the construction companies in Bulgaria that post their workers to construction sites across the European Union or use at their sites in Bulgaria posted workers - citizens of the EU or of third countries. The event was held in a hybrid format in Bulgarian.