Denmark: transposing the European directive on agency work is becoming a tool against social dumping

Last week, the Minister of Labor introduced in Parliament the bill transposing the European directive on agency work into Danish law.  The primary goal is to grant agency workers fair working conditions by defining an “appropriate” framework for temporary work and to maintain the principle of equal treatment to curb social dumping which, in Denmark, often comes from temporary work agencies posting eastern European citizens in the country.  Therefore, exceptions to this principle will have to be listed in national collective agreements signed with the most representative trade unions and valid across the country.  This way, foreign TWAs will no longer be able to bring into Denmark the exceptions they enjoy in their countries, and their agency workers will have to be covered by the same rights as Danish workers.  (Ref.  130273)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

“So far, agency workers have been the weak category of workers in the Danish labor market. But there has and has been social dumping in the sector and it is important to remember that many workers entered the labor market via this form of employment, which offers businesses the flexibility they need” declared Labor Minister Mette Frederiksen on April 17 when she introduced her bill in Parliament. The text transposes the European directive on agency work (2008/104/EC, see article No.

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: social conference on labour and pensions to proceed without main employers’ group
The preparatory meeting ahead of the social conference on labour and pensions, which is set to decide on the pension system model and the funding thereof, was held on 4 November at France's labour...
Spain: already well on the way to pay transparency?
Spain is preparing for the implementation of its national law transposing the EU Pay Transparency Directive, which will take effect on 7 June 2026. The legislation marks another step forward in...
5 November 2025
Italy: decree-law adopted to increase workplace safety
On 28 October, the Italian cabinet adopted a decree-law on health and safety at work, aimed at preventing and reducing accidents. The text addresses both the powers and actions of supervisory...
4 November 2025
Romania: parents of children with disabilities granted up to eight days of remote work per month
On 9 October, the Romanian parliament adopted a bill aiming to bolster support for parents of children with disabilities up to the age of 18. The legislation, which came into force on 12 October...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
mind RH analysis – Initial findings from CSRD social indicators
In 2025, for the first time, the universal registration documents of major European companies contain the sustainability reporting required by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive...
31 October 2025
2
Germany: EU pay transparency directive to force companies to ‘get tough’
Germany introduced a pay transparency law in 2017, meaning companies are already somewhat familiar with the issue. However, the broader scope and stricter requirements of the EU directive, the...
24 October 2025
3
Netherlands: ING cites AI as it plans to cut around 950 jobs
Dutch bank ING has informed the employment agency UWV that it may cut around 950 jobs by 31 December 2026. In its notification on 20 October, the lender said the planned reductions stem partly...
30 October 2025
4
Italy: European pay transparency directive, a major step forward for businesses
Italy’s labour market continues to suffer from limited pay transparency and a persistent gender pay gap. The forthcoming implementation of the EU pay transparency directive — still awaiting...
14 October 2025
5
EU: Omnibus Directive clears key milestone in European Parliament
On 13 October, the European Parliament’s position on the Omnibus Directive was approved by its Committee on Legal Affairs by 17 votes to six. Regarding due diligence rules, the report...
13 October 2025
6
France: government proposes suspending pension reform
French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu, reappointed on 10 October after resigning four days earlier, delivered his general policy speech to the National Assembly on 14 October. He announced the...
15 October 2025