"More than other sectors, construction is characterized by long chains of subcontracting. Chains in which there are mainly flex workers. These people have not earned a fair collective bargaining wage for a long time and unfair competition is the norm rather than the exception," writes FNV trade union executive Hans Crombeen in an opinion piece in the trade journal Cobouw. He also advocates a ban on temporary agency work.
"It is high time to take rigorous action against these far too long chains of subcontracting and drastically clean up the bottom layers. Flex work and companies that hire wrong flex: we have to get rid of that!" writes Crombeen. "The sector wants to be an attractive employer, but then firm measures such as a ban on temporary work in construction and severely limiting subcontracting chains are necessary now!"
Deeply sad figures
FNV Bouwen & Wonen is not alone with this position, according to Crombeen. The European Construction and Wood Federation (EFBH) recently launched a campaign to raise the issue of subcontracting on construction sites at EU level. FNV Bouwen & Wonen is a member of this federation and actively supports this campaign. "And that this is necessary is shown by the deeply sad figures from the European Labor Authority (ELA). During the week of April 24 - 30, 2023, it organized several cross-border checks in the construction sector with the relevant inspectorates." The payoff:
- 25 construction sites visited;
- More than 136 companies audited;
- More than 1040 working people involved;
- 156 possible violations identified;
- 258 inspectors involved (including 28 observers from participating countries and 17 staff from ELA itself);
- a total of 15 member states involved (including the Netherlands).
Some of the violations found:
- too little pay,
- errors related to social security,
- mailbox firms,
- sham posting,
- false self-employed,
- illegal employment,
A fantastic inspection result; that tastes like more, but of course a low point for the industry.
FNV Bouwen & Wonen is also concerned about the increase of Third Country nationals (people from outside the EU) in our labor market. These people have practically no protection and therefore rely on illegal employment relationships and rogue employers/agencies.
Labor is not a disposable commodity
"Despite all the migrant/flex workers working in our sector, there are huge shortages," the FNV leader continued. "The employers' short-term solution is: attract even more migrant/domestic workers. As if we can just open a can of them. And as if we don't have some problems to solve together first, as the figures above show. But the industry, unfortunately, hangs on to short-term thinking. Employers, we say again, "Labor is not a disposable product. And the sector benefits from well-trained employees who are permanently attached to the sector and who are treated decently!" As far as FNV Bouwen & Wonen is concerned, the measure is full: a structural approach to the problems in the sector is now urgently needed.
Demonstrably a better position
And that means:
- fewer chains on the construction site
(so just working with a (vast) majority of permanent staff again); - no more room for flex work and thus ban temporary work in Construction;
- as well as investing in well-trained staff.
People who do not work for a temp agency or placement agency are arguably in a better position. After all, direct employment with a contractor means access to better working conditions and industry schemes, such as pensions and help with your career.
"In addition, we are finally introducing Construction Site ID so that there are transparent construction sites and the position of all workers on the construction site is strengthened. With these measures, we will keep construction an attractive sector to work in."
