Changes between two versions
What changed between the plenary report and the adopted text
From · plenary report· 9 Dec 2025
on addressing subcontracting chains and the role of intermediaries in order to protect workers’ rights
To · adopted text· 12 Feb 2026
Addressing subcontracting chains and the role of intermediaries in order to protect workers’ rights
AI:What changed, in short
Drops calls for a framework directive and a framework to limit subcontracting chains, and removes the reference to joint liability.24 Removes the call for proposals in the quality jobs act and the call for a minimum EU framework for intermediaries.35 Adds details on registers, fees, and sanctions for labour intermediaries, and deletes two recitals on exploitative models.15
5 changes of substance · 0 formal · 0 of wording only
Written by AI from the two texts only · read the changes before relying on it · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Changes to the text itself, in document order. Cover page, citations and punctuation-only edits are left out; they are under “Every difference”.
Changes of substance · 5
Change 1 Substance
AI summary:Drops two recitals that linked exploitative labour models to environmental hazards and described outsourcing as a business model leading to a race to the bottom.
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Removed:N. whereas exploitative labour models often overlap with environmentally hazardous practices;
Removed:O. whereas the practice of outsourcing core activities can lead to a separation of powers and profiting from the diffusion of risks and responsibilities; whereas this practice is used by some undertakings as a business model, leading among other things to a race to the bottom for wages, a deterioration of working conditions and unfair competition;
Change 2 Substance
AI summary:Replaces a call for a framework directive on subcontracting and intermediaries with a reiteration of a call to strengthen transparency and accountability, dropping the reference to joint liability.
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Removed:3. Recalls its resolution on social and employment aspects of restructuring processes, which calls on the Commission, in close cooperation with social partners, to consider establishing a framework directive to address the challenges and complexities associated with employers’ obligations in subcontracting chains and labour intermediaries in Europe to ensure decent working conditions and respect for workers’ rights, to include measures regulating the role of labour intermediaries, other than temporary work agencies, and to introduce an EU general legal framework limiting subcontracting and ensuring joint and several liability through the subcontracting chain;
Added:3. Reiterates its call on the Commission, in order to end abusive subcontracting and to protect workers’ rights, to strengthen transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain;
Removed:4. Reiterates its call on the Commission, in order to end abusive subcontracting and to protect workers’ rights, to strengthen transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain, and to consider introducing a well-defined regime for the joint and several liability of economic operators and subcontractors and for ensuring transparency regarding the subcontractors involved and the share of the contract that the contractor intends to subcontract;
Change 3 Substance
AI summary:Removes the call to include proposals favouring direct employment in the quality jobs act, while keeping the encouragement of direct employment in high-risk sectors.
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Changed:8.7. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to address illegal practices in subcontracting chains in order to ensure business competitiveness and fair and safe working conditions; encourages, in this context, direct employment relationships in high-risk sectors, where feasible, justified, proportionate and based on overriding reasons of public interest, such as the protection of workers and their rights; calls on the Commission to include relevant proposals favouring direct employment relationships in its upcoming quality jobs act;
Change 4 Substance
AI summary:Drops the call for a framework to limit subcontracting chains, leaving only the note that complexity challenges labour inspectorates.
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Changed:11.10. Notes that the length and complexity of subcontracting chains pose a significant challenge to labour inspectorates in establishing legal responsibility for labour law violations, which needs to be tackled; calls on the Commission to propose a framework to limit subcontracting chains with a focus on addressing issues in high-risk sectors;
1 more change of substance
Change 5 Substance
AI summary:Replaces a call for a minimum EU framework for labour intermediaries with a highlight of public registers, adding conditions on integrity, fees, and sanctions.
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Changed:19. Stresses the need for a minimum EU framework under which labour intermediaries operate in order to strengthen their accountability, transparency obligations and compliance with minimum requirements and quality standards, as stipulated by ILO Convention No 181 on Private Employment Agencies;18. highlightsHighlights the added value of public, interoperable registers of licensed labour intermediaries; underlines that any licensing or registration should be subject to minimum integrity criteria; calls on the Commission to take stock of national practices and legislation on labour intermediaries and to ensure that labour intermediaries operating in the EU do not charge any fees or pass any costs on to workers, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part; underlines that labour intermediaries who violate the applicable law or collective agreements should receive dissuasive sanctions, such as their removal from public registers and their exclusion from public contracts;