Calling on Europe to collaborate against work-related crime
Historical archive
Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: The Office of the Prime Minister
Press release | No: 121/17 | Date: 14/11/2017
‘There is a need for a more coordinated effort to combat work-related crime at the European level. Norway is inviting the European Union and its Member States to collaborate more closely to stop the criminals,’ says Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
The Prime Minister has sent a report on work-related crime to Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission. On behalf of the Norwegian government, Erna Solberg invites to a closer collaboration with the European Commission and EU Member States to combat cross-border work-related crime.
Moving across borders
‘In Norway, we have seen that work-related crime has grown in scope and become better organised. The cases often have international ramifications. Many cases involve criminal networks, with activities that move quickly between countries. They are difficult to detect by national control authorities. To succeed in fighting these criminals, the European countries need to intensify their collaboration even further,’ says Erna Solberg.
In the report, the government puts forward a number of proposals for measures in areas suited for closer pan-European collaboration. Better ID control, shared information measures and systems for information sharing between agencies are among the measures that the prime minister would like to discuss with the European Commission and the member states.
‘I will discuss with the European Commission whether a coordinated, joint strategy against work-related crime could also be appropriate at the European level,’ says Erna Solberg.
The social partners are important
In Norway, the government has implemented a strategy that encompasses 25 measures to put an end to work-related crime. The government and the social partners collaborate closely, aiming to make life easier for legitimate businesses and harder for those who wilfully break the law. Strengthened collaboration between public control agencies such as the Labour Inspection Authority, the police, the Tax Administration and the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration is one of the cornerstones of the government’s approach. Seven joint operation centres against work-related crime have been established, where the agencies are co-located.
Social Summit
Prime Minister Solberg will participate at the EU Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth in Gothenburg on 17 November.