This ad hoc query examines whether the legislation of the responding EMN Member Countries allows employment agencies to hire third-country nationals on behalf of their clients. Where this is allowed, the query further investigates the legal framework that enables it, as well as how these agencies are monitored and what restrictions are in place to prevent potential misuse.

In its annual report 2023, Fairwork Belgium reports on requests for assistance received in 2023 and provides further details on the profiles of the people concerned and the phenomena and abuses of which they are victims. Specific attention is paid to inter alia the misuse of the single permit system, the exploitation of posted workers, the false self-employment of applicants for international protection, and the au-pair employment as domestic worker.

The “Blue Heart” is recognised as the international symbol of the fight against human trafficking. On 28 July 2025, the Blue Heart Campaign was launched at Leuven City Hall. EMN Belgium joined local authorities, the three specialised centres for victims of human trafficking, Myria, the UNODC and many other stakeholders on this occasion. The theme of this year is “Human Trafficking is Organized Crime – End the Exploitation”.

Myria has published the fourth thematic section of its 2024 annual report. In this section, entitled « Economic migration, free movement and students » Myria notes that more third-country nationals were posted to Belgium in 2023 than in 2022. Posted workers from third countries are more vulnerable to exploitation than EU-based posted workers. Therefore, they urgently need increased legal protection, according to Myria.