Tackling undeclared work database

  In 2004, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the social partners in the construction sector joined forces to fight undeclared work on construction sites. This first agreement was followed by similar agreements in other sectors. The two latest social partner agreements cover painters (2010) and the industrial textile services sector (2012), aimed at curbing the incidence of undeclared work through the exchange of information, regular visits to establishments checking for cases undeclared work and monitoring the adherence to minimum wages.  

  Since 1 June 2011 it has been possible to deduct expenses to craftsmen and domestic helpers with €2,000 (DKK 15,000) per member of the household over 18 years of age through a pilot project called Home-Job Plan. The project runs until the end of 2013. The expenses that it is possible to deduct include payment for cleaning, indoor/outdoor maintenance of the house, gardening and babysitting. The goal is threefold: to prevent undeclared work in homes, to create jobs in construction and to encourage house owners to install CO2-friendly energy solutions.  

  This measure aims to strengthen the financial sanctions used against employers who hire undocumented migrant workers by making the employer either pay the worker or, if they have left the country, pay a public body damages. It is also a way of increasing the social rights and improving the finances of migrant workers.  

  A new regulation covering the working conditions of domestic staff in Spain came into force on 1 January 2012. It affects approximately 700,000 workers, most of whom are women. The new regulation puts household workers on the same level as normal employees in many respects, such as wages and working time. It also offers workers greater social protection by including them in the social security system. The unions have been positive about these measures.