UNDECLARED WORK IN PRIVATE HOMES

Guido Vanderseypen, European Commission

Goethe Universität

Frankfurt, 20-10-2008

EU Commission analysis of Undeclared work (UDW)

• Green Paper on Labour Law (2006)

• “Stepping up the fight against UDW” (2007)

• UDW runs against economic and social order, fuels illegal immigration

What do we know about UDW ?

• UDW is likely on the rise in the EU• UDW is also widespread in Germany (3-5 % ?)• High public tolerance, low perceived risk• Concentration in construction, domestic services• Demography may stimulate UDW in elderly care• However : limitations of survey approach (illegal

immigrants not in sample)

The EU policy approach

• Significant diversity among Member States

• Scope for exchange of good practices

• Issue : restrictions on access for EU-8 and Romania/Bulgaria to EU-15

• Proposal for Directive on sanctions for employers of illegal immigrants