A tool for greater transparency and improved identification on construction sites.

How can labour and tax legislation be enforced while also enhancing transparency and fair mobility of workers in the construction sector? These questions were addressed during the final conference of the SIDE-CIC project, which focused on the use of social identification (ID) cards in the construction sector within the European Economic Area (EEA).

Variety of social ID cards and prospects for Germany

Currently, there are nineteen social ID card initiatives in fifteen EEA countries. Each has its own characteristics and functions. The aim of the SIDE-CIC project was to map these initiatives and examine the possibility of making the cards interoperable to allow for seamless data exchange. The project results not only offer a comprehensive overview but are also intended to inspire countries like Germany, which have not yet introduced a social ID card system in the construction sector.

Functionality of social ID cards

A social ID card is a physical or digital tool for verifying the identity of workers and employers. It helps enforce labour, social security, and tax regulations in the construction sector. Typically, the card contains key information such as the worker’s identity, employer details, and, in some cases, qualifications and training records, including compliance with occupational safety regulations. The cards are issued by national authorities, social partners, or paritarian institutions. Depending on the specific national context, their use may be mandatory or voluntary. They serve multiple purposes, such as monitoring worker attendance, ensuring compliance with labour regulations, and promoting fair working conditions by combating undeclared work and social dumping.

Promoting Interoperability

The feasibility study conducted as part of the project concluded that interoperability between the different systems can be established without major technical difficulties. However, achieving this requires all stakeholders to commit to cooperation and adopt a practical, step-by-step approach guided by a shared vision. Implementation, nonetheless, is complex.

Towards a Europe-wide system?

There are various options for promoting the interoperability of existing cards. In addition to bilateral agreements, data spaces, integration into existing EU tools, or even the creation of a new EU-wide system offer ways to include countries that currently do not use social ID cards. Given the high level of mobility in the construction sector, cross-border exchange of electronic data is crucial. Whether this requires the development of a new system or whether existing tools such as the EUDI Wallet could serve as a vehicle remains unresolved. One thing is clear: digitisation is advancing in the construction sector as well.

Safer construction sites beyond the SIDE-CIC project

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has examined in a new discussion paper how social ID cards can help improve occupational safety in the construction industry. The agency concludes that such cards represent a promising solution to certain challenges – especially with regard to documenting occupational safety training, professional qualifications, and certifications of workers, as well as for access control to machinery and work areas. The German Social Accident Insurance for the construction industry (Berufsgenossenschaft der Bauwirtschaft) is also exploring the potential of social ID cards, focusing on evaluating experiences with systems that have already been tested.