Labour Mobility Package: a step forward. Now time to tackle abuse in subcontracting and labour intermediation

Labour Mobility Package: a step forward. Now time to tackle abuse in subcontracting and labour intermediation

Sep 21, 2026 | Featured, In the spotlight, News & Media, Press release

On 15 September, the European Commission published its Fair Labour Mobility Package. It includes a communication on fair labour mobility and five legislative proposals covering the mandate of the European Labour Authority (ELA), a European Social Security Pass, skills portability and the recognition of professional organisations.

EFFAT welcomes the initiative, and in particular:

• The inclusion of third-country nationals in the ELA's remit. EU citizens and third-country nationals work side by side, yet the latter are often more vulnerable to exploitation. Extending the ELA's enforcement, risk analysis and information provision to undeclared or illegal employment and the exploitation of non-EU workers is highly welcome, as is the ELA's new role in assisting Member States with the employment and social security provisions of the Seasonal Workers Directive and other relevant legislation.
• Operational improvements at the ELA, including better data access, risk analysis and the appointment of national inspection liaison officers. These must go hand in hand with stronger powers for the ELA to initiate joint and concerted inspections, involving Member States and social partners, so that the exploitation of cross-border workers is properly tackled.
• The European Social Security Pass. This is vital for seasonal agricultural and hospitality workers, who, as a 2023 EESC study showed, often lack effective health insurance because of the specific arrangements of seasonal work.

EFFAT regrets that the Package contains no initiatives on subcontracting and labour intermediaries. This gap must be closed by the Quality Jobs Act.

Ivan Ivanov, EFFAT Political Secretary for Agriculture, said:
"Mobile and migrant workers make up a significant share of the workforce in the sectors EFFAT represents. The Labour Mobility Package contains important elements to address the challenges they face, and we particularly welcome the strengthened remit of the European Labour Authority. Now we expect the Quality Jobs Act to deliver concrete measures against exploitation in subcontracting and through labour intermediaries."

EFFAT will engage constructively in the legislative process and push for more far-reaching improvements. We will remain committed to the ELA Stakeholder Group and continue to advocate for a stronger ELA.