INFO-POW: Assessment of the channels of information and their use in the posting of workers

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  • Institute for Forecasting, CSPS SAS, v. v. i.
  • INFO-POW
  • 101059290
  • Mgr. M.A. Lucia Mýtna Kureková, PhD
  • 1.9.2022 – 29.02.2024
  • Ing. Ivana Studená, PhD
    Mgr. M.A. Lucia Kováčová
    Alexandra Moran, LLM
  • Belgium, Italy, Austria, Slovenia
  • European Commission – European Social Fund+ (ESF+) Social Prerogatives and Specific Competencies Lines (SocPL)
  • HIVA – Research Institute for Work and Society
    KU Leuven (Belgium) UNIVE – Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Italy)
    The European Centre – European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research (Austria)
    ZRC SAZU – Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Arts and Sciences (Slovenia)

INFO-POW brings together research institutions from five EU Member States as well as social partners at both national and EU levels to promote the evidence basis through the collection and evaluation of original data about access to information about posting, and the analysis specific to the posting process and posted workers' working conditions. The overarching aim of this research project is to identify and assess new as well as existing challenges and needs of undertakings (in the construction sector more specifically) in accessing and using relevant information regarding the process of posting of workers and the undertakings' obligations as a result thereof. Previous studies have found that despite the existence of information provided through different channels, whether by state or non-state actors, information is insufficient and/or difficult to access by the stakeholders it should be provided for. It also remains unclear to what degree existing channels of information are used by posting undertakings and in what way(s). This study fills a gap in the understanding of how transnational posting undertakings and user undertakings find and use information in their interaction with national institutions and how that affects their overall performance in terms of the correct application of the posting rules and the protection of labour and social standards. The study focuses on the specific case of the construction sector as the main sector where posting occurs, and where both larger companies and SMEs as well as self-employed are active.

The Specific Objectives in line with the main objective and rationale of the project are:

  • To map the online and offline channels of information provided by state (the national and EU posting websites; institutional websites) and non-state actors (social partners, NGOs, consultancies) in each of the five Member States.
  • To pilot a web survey with representatives of posting undertakings and user undertakings in the construction sector in 5 Member States to identify the needs of said undertakings on the availability, accessibility, and quality of information on the posting of workers, with a focus on the following specific aspects:
  • To collect insights and recommendations from representatives of the public authorities (including labour inspectorates) and social partners in Slovakia through qualitative interviews on improving access and use of publicly available information for posting construction companies.
  • To identify best practices and produce recommendations for the improvement of the availability and quality of information (in general and more specifically for the construction sector).
  • To promote research findings in scientific, specialised, and general audience publications to enhance awareness on the importance of improved access to information on posting.
  • To promote the upscaling of the web survey methodology and the results of the study beyond the construction industry and across the EU to support the improvement of access to information in posting, the correct application of rules, and the prevention of abuse.
    • Mapping exercise on channels of information
    A pilot web survey
    Expert Interviews

    Our team will support the implementation of the overall goals of the project, namely deepening and expanding knowledge about the access and use of information by companies in the construction sector in the posting of workers. We will focus on the following tasks: a case study on Slovak companies hiring and sending employees through semi-structured interviews and research boards; support for the preparation and implementation of a pilot web survey among Slovak companies in the construction sector; preparation of an academic article based on the findings of the project; preparation, coordination and implementation of a transnational dissemination meeting (transnational upscaling event); communication with associated project partners; preparation of project outputs arising from the project work plan.

    News

    Outputs