Evaluating the Involvement of Social Partners in Tackling Undeclared Work in the Western Balkans

Abstract

Although enforcement authorities play a key role in tackling undeclared work, social partners also have an interest in preventing undeclared work. Employer federations wish to tackle the unfair competition that results from other businesses operating in the undeclared economy and trade unions wish to protect declared workers and tackle unscrupulous employers who use undeclared employment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the current involvement of social partners in tackling undeclared work in the Western Balkans. To achieve this, a survey was undertaken of social partners in the six Western Balkan economies to evaluate: (i) their objectives in relation to tackling undeclared work; (ii) the current level of social partner cooperation with government authorities and (iii) the current range of initiatives pursued by social partners to tackle the undeclared economy. This study reports the findings.