Today, more than 800 workers and trade unionists gathered in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg for a joint demonstration organized by EFBWW, EFFAT and ETF, the three European Trade Union Federations representing workers in construction, agriculture, food processing, hospitality, domestic work and transport.
The action was organised to mobilise support ahead of the upcoming vote on the European Parliament’s own-initiative report on subcontracting and intermediaries, and to urge the European Commission to propose a binding EU initiative to limit contracting and subcontracting, regulate labour intermediation, and ensure equal treatment and fair competition across the EU labour market.
The demonstration follows the Employment Committee’s vote in December 2025, which sent a strong political signal to the European Commission to propose an EU Directive on Subcontracting and Labour Intermediaries.
At a time of great uncertainty and instability for working people and their trade unions, today’s action sends a clear message to European policymakers and national governments: It is time to end abuse and exploitation by ensuring equal treatment and fair competition through an ambitious EU Directive to limit contracting and subcontracting, regulate labour intermediation, including a ban of agencies in posting, and to bolster the frequency and effectiveness of labour inspections.
MEPs from the S&D, the Left, the EPP, Renew, and Greens/EFA expressed their support for the need to curb exploitative contracting and subcontracting practices and unscrupulous intermediaries. The Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness took part in the event and underlined the European Commission’s commitment to take the issue forward within the framework of the Quality Jobs Act, a package of social measures for which a social partners consultation has recently been launched.
Following the demonstration, a hearing took place inside the European Parliament.
ETF Secretary General Livia Spera: “In transport and logistics, subcontracting takes many different forms. From warehousing and delivery to road haulage, we see the same pattern: long supply chains and layers of intermediaries that erode working conditions. We’ve documented the abuse, we’ve shown the evidence, and now we’re demanding action. The time for an EU Directive to limit subcontracting is now.”
EFBWW General Secretary, Tom Deleu: “The EU must take action to stop exploitation of posted and migrant workers in our sectors. It is widely recognized that long and complex chains of subcontracting lead to fraud and social dumping. Subcontracting chains are always a major risk factor. We need to limit subcontracting and ban agencies in posting. We need to promote quality jobs and direct employment. Examples show that it can be done and that it should be done. We need an ambitious Directive to protect workers, to promote fair competition and to increase the attractiveness of our sector.
EFFAT General Secretary, Enrico Somaglia: “Millions of workers and responsible employers in Europe are paying the price for abusive contracting and subcontracting practices and unregulated labour intermediation. Systemic issues that increasingly dominate several sectors of the economy pitting workers against each other. It is time to end such abuse! Our call for a Directive is about restoring fairness, equal treatment, and fair competition. With the Plenary vote in the European Parliament taking place this week, right after our day of action, the momentum is undeniable: now is the time to act and stop exploitation.”Stop Exploitation – Flyer EFBWW – EFFAT – ETF Joint paper