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Security and law

Labor law in Luxembourg

This article looks into all the angles of labor law in Luxembourg including contract types, minimum wage, leaves, terminations and more. It is an employee guide to navigate as great as possible within the Luxembourgish work life.

Last time updated
15.11.24

Labor laws are the door to fair employment with main focus the workers’ rights and benefits. Of course, there are also unions to deal with any misconduct, but usually labor laws, in several European countries, as in general quite clear, ensuring employee happiness and a functioning working environment.

Main types of employment contracts in Luxembourg

The labor in Luxembourg is controlled by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy. The main types of contracts in Luxembourg include two types: CDI or contrat de travail à durée indéterminée, and CDD or contrat à durée déterminée.

CDI
CDD
Сollective agreement

Minimum wage and working hours in Luxembourg

As of 2024, the minimum wage in Luxembourg is 2,570.93 euros for unskilled workers and 3,085.11 euros for skilled workers. We have previously covered the salaries in Luxembourg in our dedicated article.

40 hours per week

The standard weekly working hours in Luxembourg are for full-time employees.

Absences in the employment system: sick leave, annual vacation

To get legal sick leave, an employee in Luxembourg needs to follow these few steps:

  1. Inform their employer as soon as possible about the illness and inability to work
  2. Provide a medical certificate from a doctor to justify the sick leave
  3. Follow the employer's internal procedures for sick leave notification and documentation

In Luxembourg, "annual leave" and "vacation" often refer to the same thing — time off from work. Employees are typically entitled to paid vacation days, which are also considered annual leave.

The number of vacation days varies depending on the number of years an employee has been working for a company.

Statutory leave in Luxembourg is 26 days per year plus public holidays such as Christmas, and New Year.

The duration of leave varies based on different use throughout the year, but generally, it can be taken all in one go or during different parts of the year. Depending on the agreement, there might be some additional holidays to consider.

Termination of employment in Luxembourg

The procedures and regulations related to dismissal in Luxembourg may include:

  • providing a valid reason for termination, which can be either personal or economic in nature.
  • complying with notice periods, which vary based on the length of service and contract type.
  • offering the possibility of appealing the dismissal decision.

Both the resignation letter and termination letter are crucial documents that formalize the end of an employment relationship. Let's look at how they work.

Resignation Letter
Termination Letter

The notice period is the period of time an employee needs to continue working after submitting the resignation letter, allowing the employer to find a replacement if necessary. The notice period varies depending on the length of service and other factors specified in the employment contract or collective agreement.

Workers’ fundamental rights in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, workers enjoy various fundamental rights and protections that are designed to ensure fair treatment and a safe working environment.

The main fundamental workers’ rights are:

  • Right to a safe and healthy working environment. Employers are obligated to provide a safe workplace, including measures to prevent accidents, ensure occupational health, and adhere to safety regulations.
  • Protection against discrimination. Workers are protected from discrimination based on various grounds, such as gender, age, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or nationality.
  • Right to paid annual leave. Workers are entitled to a certain number of paid vacation days each year, depending on their years of service and the provisions of the collective agreement or labor laws.
  • Right to paid sick leave. Employees have the right to take paid sick leave when they are medically unfit to work, provided they follow the proper procedures and provide a medical certificate.
  • Protection for pregnant women and mothers. Pregnant employees and new mothers are entitled to maternity leave and other protections to ensure their well-being during pregnancy and after childbirth.
  • Parental leave. Workers have the right to take parental leave to care for their children, allowing them to balance work and family responsibilities.
  • Right to union membership. Workers have the right to join labor unions and engage in collective bargaining to protect their interests and negotiate better working conditions.
  • Protection against unfair dismissal. Employees are protected against arbitrary or unjustified dismissal. Employers must provide valid reasons and adhere to the proper procedures when terminating an employee's contract.

This Labor Inspection authority is responsible for enforcing labor laws, investigating complaints, and ensuring employers comply with workers' rights. Mistreated workers can report their grievances, which will conduct an investigation and take appropriate actions to address any violations found.

Help available

In case of mistreatment or violations of their rights, workers in Luxembourg can seek help from the Inspection du Travail et des Mines.

If a worker believes their rights have been violated, they should:

  1. Document the incident or violation with as much detail as possible
  2. Raise the issue with their employer and try to resolve it internally.
  3. If the issue remains unresolved, contact the ITM to file a complaint and seek assistance in resolving the matter.

The labor laws in Luxembourg are designed to protect workers' rights and ensure fair treatment. Additionally, collective agreements between employers' organizations and labor unions often provide additional protections and benefits for workers in specific industries or sectors, so it is definitely a good idea to be a member of a union.

Union
Employment
Labor

Which trade union you can join in Luxembourg and how?

faq

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do labor laws in Luxembourg, rules and benefits apply to non-EU citizens as well?

In which cases can a labor union help?

Is minimum wage subject to change in Luxembourg?

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We took photos from these sources: Sora Shimazaki for Pexels

Authors: Penelope
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