On January 16, 2025, at Rådhuspladsen, a group of workers protested in front of Copenhagen City Hall against social dumping in the workplace in Copenhagen.
The protest, organized among others by 3F, primarily focused on workers in the construction sector, a growing issue in the Danish capital. The topic has also been addressed in the DR documentary Underdanmark and has garnered cross-party agreement from both government and opposition parties.
“We are ready to fight“
The phrase “Klar til kamp” (“We are ready to fight”) could be read on one of the signs at the small demonstration in Rådhuspladsen. The fight is for better working conditions and for ensuring that all rights are respected.
The matter has already been brought to Parliament. A new legislative proposal gives the Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet) the power to halt work for contractors and subcontractors who repeatedly commit serious violations of workplace safety regulations, according to a press release from the Ministry of Employment (Beskæftigelsesministeriet).
The bill, which will have its first reading in the Folketing on Thursday, is part of the fight against social dumping in the construction industry and includes what is known as a “contractor stop” (entreprenørstop).
This measure grants Arbejdstilsynet the authority to stop work for a contractor and their subcontractors if repeated warnings about severe violations are ignored.
“The fight against social dumping never stops”
“The fight against social dumping never stops. We must continuously adapt to developments and crack down on those who prioritize profit over people’s lives,” said Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen (S).
The minister emphasized the importance of protecting companies that follow the rules:
“We cannot accept a situation where companies that play by the rules are unable to compete because they are undercut by those who disregard workplace safety.”
The entreprenørstop is one of the measures introduced last May when the government (Social Democrats, Venstre, and Moderates), along with the Denmark Democrats, Socialist People’s Party, Red-Green Alliance, Social Liberal Party, Danish People’s Party, and The Alternative, reached an agreement to combat social dumping in Danish workplaces.
