On 13–14 October, Brussels hosted a peer-learning mission for labour-inspection chiefs from Albania, Montenegro and other Western Balkan economies under the EU-funded ESAP 3 programme. Co-organised by Belgium’s Social Information and Investigation Service (SIIS) and the European Labour Authority, the visit showcased Belgium’s data-driven model for detecting undeclared work in construction and other high-risk sectors. Participants received live demonstrations of Belgium’s integrated digital ecosystem, which links labour-inspection, social-security, tax, police and judicial databases to flag anomalies in real time. They then accompanied inspectors on site visits in Mechelen and Leuven, observing joint checks that combined ID verification, A1 certificate control and instant access to wage records. For global mobility managers, the takeaway is that Belgian authorities increasingly rely on cross-agency data matching and surprise inspections rather than paper audits scheduled weeks in advance. Companies posting staff to Belgium—even for short projects—should ensure that LIMOSA notifications, salary slips and residence documents can be produced electronically on demand. The ESAP mission also signals Brussels’ intention to export its compliance toolkit to neighbouring regions, cementing Belgium’s reputation as an EU frontrunner on fair-work enforcement. As the European Commission debates expanding the Labour Authority’s mandate, multinationals may soon face similar digital scrutiny in multiple Member States. A final report with best-practice recommendations will be circulated to all six Western Balkan administrations next month, potentially leading to pilot joint inspections that include Belgian inspectors in 2027.
