Building sites could be partially or totally closed if modern slavery practices are found under new powers to be given to Luxembourg's ‘Inspection du travail et des mines’. The body is responsible for checking that employers obey the law when it comes to workplace practices. The new EU directive aims to end criminal exploitation in the workplace where people are paid below minimum wage. Responding to a parliamentary question, employment minister Nicolas Schmit said that in addition to increasing powers to close down sites which illegally exploit workers, the new law will define who is responsible when work is subcontracted. A report claimed that Portuguese construction workers were being routinely exploited. One worker said he worked ten hours per day for 7.50 euros per hour.