The overall objective of this project is to describe, analyse and assess the aims, objectives, functioning and effectiveness of existing mechanisms, notably joined and several liability and chain liability schemes, with respect to ensuring the protection of workers' rights in subcontracting processes in the EU and Norway...On the basis of this comparative study, the analysis will further focus on the degree of effectiveness of provisions aimed at ensuring the protection of workers’ rights in subcontracting processes and identify features, which are common to several Member States, as well as to their interaction with other existing instruments and mechanisms...Finally, this study will also formulate recommendations for possible improvements in the protection of workers' rights in the framework of subcontracting, including in cross-border situations.