Migrant workers are central to many industries, yet the risks they face are often hidden within recruitment practices and complex supply chains.
At Enact, we are bringing together our experience from working with companies across sectors and geographies in a new webinar series, Migrant Workers in Global Value Chains: From Risk to Responsible Practice. The series focuses on how risks arise in practice, where companies lose visibility, and how more effective approaches can be implemented – with a clearer understanding of how these dynamics affect people.
Each session takes a closer look at a specific sector. We begin with construction.
Session 1: Construction & Industrial Subcontracting Chains in the Nordics
Who’s really on your site? Managing migrant worker risks in construction supply chains
Construction projects often rely on multiple layers of subcontractors. While this structure enables flexibility and efficiency, it also creates complexity. Companies may not have full visibility of who is actually on site, how workers have been recruited, or under what conditions they are working – including whether workers are exposed to unsafe conditions or unfair treatment.
In our work, we frequently see how risks emerge in these gaps. Recruitment practices, informal arrangements, and unclear responsibilities across subcontracting chains can lead to situations where policies are in place, but not reflected in practice – with real consequences for workers’ conditions and their ability to exercise their rights. This webinar explores how these risks arise and what companies can do to better understand and address them.
The session took place on 31 March and featured Ulla Roiha, Head of Enact Finland, who has extensive experience working with human rights risks in supply chains, including labour conditions and subcontracting structures in high-risk environments. She was joined by Lisa Osbäck, Senior Advisor at Enact, who brings deep experience in sustainability due diligence and supports companies in translating requirements into practical implementation.
Practical insights
During the webinar, we explored what companies can do in practice to better understand and address these risks:
→ Map your subcontracting structure – understand who is involved beyond tier 1, and where visibility is lost in the chain
→ Know your business partners – assess workforce composition, use of agencies, and how subcontractors manage their own risks
→ Use contracts strategically – include requirements such as no recruitment fees, access to worker documentation, and limits on further subcontracting
→ Strengthen dialogue, not just control – ongoing engagement with subcontractors often reveals more than audits alone
→ Listen to workers directly – ensure workers understand their rights and have access to grievance channels
→ Look inward – internal practices such as pricing pressure, short lead times, and last-minute changes can drive risks in the supply chain
Watch the recording
If you missed the session, or would like to revisit the discussion, you can watch the full recording here:
Looking to strengthen your approach?
We support organisations in improving visibility across subcontracting chains and addressing risks and impacts affecting migrant workers. Contact us here: www.enact.se/connect