Labour shortages in construction and woodworking are not driven by a lack of workers, but by poor working conditions, low wages and weak enforcement.
In this position paper, EFBWW sets out measures to improve job quality, strengthen labour standards and make the sectors more attractive, including limiting subcontracting, tackling bogus self-employment and investing in training and safe working conditions.
The position paper was based on the result of a research report by Mikkel Barslund, Anne Guisset, Ilse Tobback and Karolien Lenaerts (2025) and survey results on labour shortages by Wouter Zwysen (2025).
The research paper provides an analysis of the labour-market situation, with a particular focus on the nature and extent of labour shortages and working conditions, in two important economic sectors: construction, and woodworking and furniture. The analysis documents the current state of employment, job vacancies, recruitment challenges and skills mismatches within these sectors. Both occupy a central role in achieving the European Union’s climate and energy objectives, as set out in the European Green Deal. The construction sector is central to small and large-scale renovation and retrofitting projects required to improve energy efficiency across Europe's building stock. Similarly, the woodworking and furniture sector is integral to delivering sustainable, timber-based solutions that form part of the EU’s broader sustainability strategy. Consequently, persistent labour shortages in these sectors pose a risk of delaying the timely implementation of green transition initiatives.