International cooperation and cross-border inspection within the European Union (EU) is becoming an increasingly important aspect of the Authority's work. As a consequence it is collaborating with other Member States and the European Labour Authority (ELA) to tackle labour market abuses. When it comes to matters relating to healthy and safe working conditions, the Netherlands Labour Authority works in partnership with the Senior Labour Inspectors Committee (SLIC).

European Labour Authority

The European Labour Authority, which was founded in 2019, offers many new opportunities for EU-wide cooperation on good practices for workers. It has its offices in the Slovakian capital Bratislava and was set up to support fair and effective labour mobility and the coordination of social security systems in the EU.

It helps Member States monitor and enforce EU rules and rights relating to labour mobility. Another of its responsibilities is to make sure that workers and employers have better access to information on their rights and obligations.

Among other things the ELA facilitates joint inspections by providing logistical support and setting up other forms of cooperation between Member States. The ELA also runs several EU-wide working groups, provides professional training and offers cross-border mediation and dispute resolution services.

Senior Labour Inspectors Committee

The Senior Labour Inspectors Committee (SLIC) is the consultative body for national labour inspectorates within the European Union in the field of health and safety at work. The SLIC advises on the enforcement of EU legislation on health and safety at work. It can give advice at the request of the European Commission or on its own initiative.

Main activities

The main activities of the SLIC are:

  • Harmonisation: developing uniform inspection principles and assessment methods.
  • Knowledge sharing: improving knowledge and understanding of national inspection systems.
  • Information exchange: facilitating cooperation between national labour inspectorates.
  • Training: promoting exchange programmes and training for inspectors.
  • Rapid information sharing: setting up efficient communication channels.
  • International cooperation: cooperating with other countries and addressing cross-border issues.
  • Policy analysis: evaluating the impact of EU policy on labour inspectorates.

Structure

The SLIC consists of representatives of the labour inspectorates of the European Member States. Each Member State has one member and one alternate member. SLIC’s activities are organised by a Bureau, consisting of the chairman and two vice-chairmen and is chaired by a representative of the European Commission.

Working groups

There are various substantive working groups. The members of these working groups have the necessary expertise.

The various working groups publish annual activity reports on their tasks and activities. Every six months, a plenary meeting is held with all members. This meeting takes place in the EU Member State that currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. During these meetings, the tasks and recommendations of the working groups are discussed and approved.