On 2 September 2026, Europol and the European Labour Authority (ELA) signed a Working Arrangement aimed at facilitating the exchange of information and expertise between the two agencies and enhance cooperation in detecting and tackling labour exploitation, particularly in cross-border cases. ELA is an EU agency that aims to ensure fair and effective labour mobility across the EU and assist Member States, as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and the European Commission, in coordinating social security systems.

Labour exploitation can be a highly profitable business for organised crime, with criminal networks operating across borders and exploiting legitimate business structures to facilitate their activities and conceal criminal profits. Trafficking in human beings, in particular, is often under-reported. As cases may initially appear to be breaches of labour law, indicators of trafficking and organised crime can go undetected.

The cooperation is intended to combine Europol's expertise in fighting organised crime with ELA's role in supporting the enforcement of EU labour mobility rules. The Working Arrangement also provides for closer coordination of operational activities, including joint inspections and investigations.