Call by the Nordic Work Environment Committee under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers for research on the work environment and labour market crime

Labour market crime is a complex social issue that occurs in many different industries. This applies, for example, within the transportation and construction industries, where labour market crime can increase the risk of occupational accidents. In other industries, such as within the cleaning and beauty sectors, labour market crime can give rise to different risks. Regardless of the industry, risks to the work environment increase with labour market crime. In particular, this applies in connection with cross-border labour. 

Combating labour market crime is high on the political agenda in all the Nordic countries. The Nordic Council of Ministers has entered into co-operation with the Baltic countries to combat cross-border labour market crime in particular. Specifically, this has led to the implementation of activities by both authorities and labour market partners aimed at preventing the exploitation of workers through deliberate violations of occupational health and safety legislation.

The Nordic Work Environment Committee is seeking research that will generate more knowledge and practical recommendations and solutions. The intention is for work environment experts and regulatory authorities to use these in addressing future work environment problems related to labour market crime.

More specifically, the research should:

1. Increase knowledge about the relationship between labour market crime and work environment risks.
2. Increase knowledge about which measures to combat labour market crime help to improve the work environment.
3. Increase awareness of labour market crime and the work environment through a focus on learning and enhanced knowledge throughout society.

The purpose of the project is to:

• prevent violations of work environment legislation,
• produce practical knowledge for the regulatory authorities to apply in the field of the work environment to combat labour market crime, and
• contribute to preventing accidents and work-related ill health resulting from labour market crime in all relevant industries.

As a starting point, the applicant should be a public or private research institution from the Nordic countries with documented expertise within the scope of the current project call.

A total of DKK 1,150,000 has been allocated for distribution among relevant projects. Although individual projects may last several years, they must be completed no later than the end of​2025. All funds are allocated in 2024, and it is expected that the project will be completed using only these funds. 

The applications will be assessed by the Nordic Work Environment Committee, which is preparing a recommendation for the Committee of Senior Officials for Labour, which will make the decision regarding the allocation.

For the application to be assessed, the active participation of at least three Nordic countries or two Nordic countries plus a minimum of one non-Nordic country must be documented.

The committee will assess the applications based on criteria related to the project’s relevance within the framework of the project call, academic content, the project’s news value, Nordic advantage, and the professional qualifications of the project team. 

Additionally, it will be assessed how likely it is that the project can be completed within the estimated time and budget.

The application must include an activity and time schedule for the implementation of the project and the use of funds.

The application must be sent to the Committee Secretary Gro Synnøve Rygh Færevåg at gro.synnove.faerevag@arbeidstilsynet.no no later than 15:00 on 15 February 2023.

The application is considered as received only when the applicant has received an acknowledgment from the Committee Secretary.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.