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How can companies in the energy sector create fair working conditions in construction?

Event in Brussels organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs’ Energy Sector Dialogue and partners from the Netherlands

GIZ/Alexander Doyle

The construction of energy infrastructure is associated with human rights risks – also in Europe. Risks include inadequate occupational safety and health risks, as well as labour exploitation and discrimination. Mobile workers, such as posted employees, are particularly affected.

At the event "Advancing Decent Work in Construction of Energy Sites in Europe" on November 18, 2025, in Brussels, companies, trade unions, administration, and civil society discussed possible preventive and remedial measures.

The event was jointly organized by the Energy Sector Dialogue of the German Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the International RBC Agreement for the Renewable Energy Sector of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Sector Dialogues support German companies in implementing human rights due diligence. On the occasion of the event, the Energy Sector Dialogue published a toolbox of measures to prevent labour exploitation in the construction of energy infrastructure [PDF, 7MB]. The toolbox addresses four areas: risk management in companies, remedies for those affected, empowerment of workers, and collaboration with partners in the market and supply chain.

Furthermore, the federal government of Germany adopted a National Action Plan against Labour Exploitation and Forced Labour in February 2025, which also includes measures to strengthen corporate responsibility.

At the event, representatives from government, trade unions, companies, and academia exchanged their perspectives at a panel discussion.

This was followed by three workshops: In a workshop on "Empowering migrant workers before departure," participants discussed how mobile workers can be informed and protected in their countries of origin and how companies can do this within the framework of their due diligence. The workshop "Shared responsibility and effective risk management in subcontracting" addressed the challenge of enforcing due diligence in multi-tiered subcontractor chains. Finally, the workshop "Access to remedy for mobile, dispersed workers" discussed how companies can implement remedial measures for highly mobile employees when human rights violations come to light.

The discussions at the event highlighted that labour exploitation and forced labour at construction sites in the energy sector are relevant issues in many European countries. It also became clear that companies can only effectively fulfil their due diligence obligations in cooperation with other stakeholders and across national borders.