The last annual report by the Labor Inspectorate shows a trend both unexpected and positive : illegal labor is on the decline. This decline can be partly explained by the fact that eight European countries joined the EU on May 1, 2007, and partly by the severe fines imposed on employers (8.000 euro per illegal worker discovered and 6.700 euro per worker paid below minimum wage). (Ref. 080600)
Whereas 25% of companies inspected in 2005 employed illegal workers, only 18% of them did in 2007. This sudden decrease is even more striking since controls were increased, together with a focus on the sectors which used to appeal most to illegal labor (construction, horticulture, catering). The Labor Inspectorate hired 24 additional inspectors in 2007 to face the dreaded consequences of the opening of the borders to Polish, Hungarian, Czech, Slovakian, Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian workers.
…Do you have information to share with us?