Denmark passes ID card law for large construction sites

The Danish Parliament (Folketinget) has passed a new law requiring personal ID cards for workers on large-scale construction and civil engineering projects with a total value exceeding 100 million DKK. The legislation aims to combat social dumping and the exploitation of foreign labor by increasing transparency in the construction industry.

Under the new rules, ID cards must include the worker's name, photo, nationality, identification, job function, and relevant qualifications, as well as employer details. Workers are also required to register their duration of stay on-site. The responsibility for ensuring ID card compliance, registration, and reporting to the Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet) lies with the developer (bygherren).

Data collected must be stored for five years. Authorities, including the Danish Working Environment Authority, the Customs and Tax Administration, and the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, will have access to this information for labor market, tax, and immigration control. Failure to comply can result in fines for developers, ranging from 10,000 DKK for non-compliance with orders to 100,000 DKK for failing to establish an ID card solution entirely.

Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen described the law as a vital step in protecting the Danish labor market and tightening immigration controls. While labor unions and industry groups like Danske Byggefag have welcomed the decision, critics have expressed concerns regarding the administrative burden placed on small and medium-sized enterprises.