Migrant Workers

European Parliament EMPL Committee Publishes Mission Report on Hazardous Work and Environmental Contamination in Italy

In April 2026, the European Parliament’s EMPL Committee published a mission report on hazardous work, migrant exploitation, and environmental contamination observed during a fact-finding visit to San Patrignano, Foggia, and the Terra dei Fuochi area in Italy. While non-binding, the findings and recorded union proposals signal potential future EU action on subcontracting and labour intermediation, CAP social conditionality, housing for seasonal workers, and stronger occupational health monitoring for firefighters exposed to toxic waste fires.

30 Apr 2026, 10:48europarl.europa.euEuropean UnionItaly

Japan MHLW Consults on Draft Revisions to Guidance on Employment Management of Foreign Workers

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is consulting on draft revisions to employer guidance governing the treatment, oversight, and reporting of foreign workers, aligning it with new immigration and training-employment schemes from mid-2026. Companies employing foreign workers in Japan will face clearer expectations on equal treatment, Japanese-language support, residence-card checks, and notification procedures, with phased application from June 2026 to April 2027, so HR and compliance teams should review hiring and reporting processes ahead of adoption.

18 Apr 2026, 08:37public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Netherlands Labour Inspectorate 2025 Annual Report Submitted To Parliament

The Netherlands Labour Inspectorate's 2025 report confirms a strategic shift toward intensified enforcement of hazardous substance management, Seveso compliance, and asbestos safety. Companies should prioritize the use of official self-inspection tools and ensure rigorous safety data sheet accuracy to mitigate rising risks of systemic compliance audits and targeted inspections.

28 Mar 2026, 16:37rijksoverheid.nlNetherlands

Australia Anti-Slavery Commissioner Urges Stronger Modern Slavery Due Diligence Under EU Forced Labour Rules

The Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner has signaled that the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement will trigger heightened enforcement of EU forced labour and due diligence regulations for exporters. Businesses must accelerate supply chain transparency and risk-based due diligence to protect market access as global trade agreements increasingly mandate strict human rights compliance.

28 Mar 2026, 09:36antislaverycommissioner.gov.auAustraliaEuropean Union

Amnesty Urges ILO Governing Body Not To Dismiss Saudi Migrant Labour Complaint

The ILO Governing Body is under pressure to reject Saudi Arabia's request to dismiss a major migrant labor complaint during its March 2026 session. This development signals intensifying human rights due diligence and supply chain risks for businesses operating in or sourcing from the region.

26 Mar 2026, 19:24amnesty.orgSaudi ArabiaGlobal

Netherlands District Court Reduces Article 15a Wav Fine and Confirms Work-Stoppage Warning

The Dutch District Court has affirmed that employers bear non-transferable responsibility for verifying and recording the identities of all agency workers under the Foreign Nationals Employment Act. Businesses must ensure internal compliance protocols for personnel data are strictly enforced to avoid substantial administrative fines and the risk of court-mandated operational shutdowns.

26 Mar 2026, 11:37uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

Brazil Labour Prosecutors Reach R$40 Million Settlement With BYD Over Exploitation of Chinese Workers

Brazilian authorities secured a R$40 million settlement with BYD in late 2025 to resolve forced labor and human trafficking allegations at a factory construction site. This enforcement action signals heightened legal and reputational risks for global supply chains, necessitating rigorous human rights due diligence for capital projects and third-party contractors.

19 Mar 2026, 19:06prt5.mpt.mp.brBrazilHungaryChina

Poland: Phase-Out of Ukraine Assistance Measures Act Enters Into Force With Employer Notification Duties

Poland has initiated the formal phase-out of emergency assistance measures for Ukrainian nationals, setting definitive sunset dates for simplified work rights in 2027 and 2029. Businesses must ensure rigorous compliance with seven-day reporting windows for all staffing changes to mitigate penalty risks during this multi-year transition period.

11 Mar 2026, 17:09isap.sejm.gov.plPoland

Norway Announces Tripartite Industry Programme for Agriculture and Horticulture

Norway has launched a tripartite industry programme for agriculture and horticulture to combat labour crime and improve seasonal worker conditions. This initiative signals intensified enforcement and inspection focus on labour standards and worker accommodation, requiring companies to ensure rigorous compliance with existing employment regulations.

9 Mar 2026, 18:26regjeringen.noNorway

Rijssen-Holten Adopts 2026 Bibob Policy Rules for High-Risk Permits and Transactions

Rijssen-Holten has enacted updated integrity screening protocols for high-value permits and public contracts effective February 2026. Businesses in regulated sectors must maintain rigorous transparency in corporate financing and ownership to avoid significant operational disruptions or exclusion from public tenders.

4 Mar 2026, 14:15zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Netherlands House of Representatives Adopts Bill 36781 Introducing Reporting and Verification Duty for Loaned Workers Under Working Conditions Act

The Dutch House of Representatives has adopted legislation introducing mandatory accident reporting and safety verification duties for labor intermediaries under the Working Conditions Act. Labor providers must now formalize safety auditing of client sites to manage increased liability risks and ensure compliance as regulatory focus on temporary worker protection intensifies.

2 Mar 2026, 11:34tweedekamer.nlNetherlands

EU Council: Poland and Allies Seek Reconsideration of Omnibus Proposal Extending "Use" of Plant Protection Products to Sowing of Treated Seeds

In February 2026, a coalition of EU Member States challenged a proposal to reclassify the sowing of treated seeds as the use of plant protection products. This shift would impose significant new registration and training mandates on agricultural operations, increasing compliance costs and administrative burdens.

24 Feb 2026, 19:34data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

UAE MoHRE Reports 2025 Closure of 230 Social Media Accounts Used for Unlicensed Domestic Worker Recruitment

UAE authorities significantly expanded enforcement against unlicensed labour recruitment in 2025 by shutting down hundreds of non-compliant social media accounts. This move signals a permanent shift toward digital surveillance of recruitment practices, requiring businesses to verify all labour providers to avoid severe legal and human rights liabilities.

18 Feb 2026, 19:31mohre.gov.aeUnited Arab Emirates

Taiwan and US Sign Agreement on Reciprocal Trade Including Forced Labour Import Ban and Migrant Worker Fee Reforms

Taiwan and the United States have signed a trade pact requiring Taiwan to ban forced-labor imports and eliminate migrant worker recruitment fees by 2029. This alignment with U.S. enforcement standards necessitates immediate supply chain audits and a transition to employer-pays models for manufacturing operations.

18 Feb 2026, 19:23focustaiwan.twTaiwanUnited States

Singapore Comments on Special Rapporteur’s Report on the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment (A/HRC/61/47/Add.2)

Singapore has formally responded to the UN Special Rapporteur’s report on environmental human rights, clarifying its strategic position on climate planning and sustainability ahead of the March 2026 Human Rights Council session. This alignment with international standards signals a likely acceleration of domestic policy developments in waste management, air quality, and social equity within environmental frameworks.

17 Feb 2026, 14:32docs.un.orgSingapore

US Congress Introduces H.R. 7541 to Create Annual Restrictions on H-2A Temporary Worker Program

US legislation introduced in February 2026 seeks to impose annual caps and new restrictions on the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. Businesses reliant on seasonal labor should prepare for potential workforce shortages and heightened scrutiny of recruitment practices and labor rights compliance.

17 Feb 2026, 11:27congress.govUnited States

Japan MHLW Ordinance Amends Enforcement Regulations Under Act on Comprehensively Advancing Labor Measures

Japan has amended the enforcement regulations for its comprehensive labor policy framework, updating operational requirements for employment management and workplace standards. Companies should audit HR compliance and reporting protocols, specifically regarding foreign worker notifications and anti-harassment measures, to mitigate legal and reputational risks.

12 Feb 2026, 15:31kanpo.go.jpJapan

OECD Publishes Due Diligence Report On Recycling Processes In The Garment And Footwear Sector

The OECD issued new due diligence guidance in February 2026 targeting systemic labor, chemical, and environmental risks within garment and footwear recycling supply chains. Companies must extend responsible conduct oversight to informal waste sectors and integrate recyclability into product design to mitigate emerging supply chain liabilities.

12 Feb 2026, 15:07oecd.orgGlobal

Netherlands Labour Minister Clarifies Enforcement Approach To Abuses Affecting Migrant Workers

The Dutch government has confirmed a significant increase in labor law fines and strengthened enforcement against migrant worker exploitation, with specific adjustments due by the end of Q1 2026. Companies must ensure rigorous oversight of labor practices and supply chain due diligence as financial penalties for non-compliance are indexed to maintain their deterrent effect.

12 Feb 2026, 14:30zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Malaysia Human Resources Ministry Reportedly Developing Direct Hiring System to Eliminate Recruitment Agencies

Malaysia is developing a direct hiring system for foreign workers to eliminate recruitment middlemen and mitigate labor exploitation risks. Businesses should prepare for increased direct responsibility over migrant recruitment and heightened scrutiny of labor supply chain transparency.

12 Feb 2026, 08:06freemalaysiatoday.comMalaysia