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This week, the Commission adopted its Quality Jobs Roadmap, outlining a strategy to improve job quality while maintaining competitiveness across the EU. Among other important topics aimed at improving quality jobs across the EU, the Communication acknowledges the legitimacy of subcontracting as a business model that supports flexibility, innovation, and access to specialised expertise, particularly for SMEs. However, it also highlights concerns about fraudulent practices in sectors such as logistics and transport, where complex subcontracting chains can sometimes lead to labour exploitation and non-compliance with health and safety standards. The Commission emphasises the need for stronger enforcement of existing rules, greater transparency in subcontracting chains, and targeted measures to address abuses without imposing excessive administrative burden. This aligns with CLECAT’s position that subcontracting is essential for logistics operations but must be regulated in a way that targets abuse while preserving the flexibility and efficiency of legitimate business models.

In parallel, the Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Committee adopted its report on "Addressing subcontracting chains and the role of intermediaries to protect workers’ rights." While MEPs rejected a strict cap to subcontracting of two levels below the main contractor, a proposal that could have disrupted logistics operations, the report still calls for a legal framework to restrict subcontracting. The outcome reflects a mixed result for forwarders and logistic operators: avoiding the most disruptive proposal but retaining a push for broader restrictions, including strengthened joint liability and enforcement provisions. These measures could increase compliance costs and create legal uncertainty for legitimate subcontracting arrangements.

The Parliament is expected to vote on the EMPL report in Plenary in January 2026, while the Commission opened a first-phase consultation with social partners on potential further EU action, namely in the future Quality Jobs Act. CLECAT will continue to engage with MEPs and the Commission to ensure that any future measures protect legitimate subcontracting while effectively targeting abuse.

Source: European Commission