The Independent Trade Union Confederation of Luxembourg (OGBL) has expressed disapproval of Amazon’s decision to have a select group of employees work at its Kirchberg site on Luxembourg’s National Day, June 23. This day is typically recognized as a public holiday across the country. According to Amazon, the decision to have some staff members work was due to the overlap with its annual Prime Day, which is a significant event for the company. Amazon assured that participation was voluntary and emphasized that only a limited number of employees were involved. Additionally, the company confirmed that all workers would be compensated according to Luxembourg’s labor laws.
On the other hand, OGBL maintains that public holidays should be preserved for workers, with exceptions only for essential services such as healthcare and emergency response. The union contends that even if employees volunteer to work, employers must still adhere to the legal requirements for holiday pay. They argue that the fundamental principle of a public holiday should not be compromised for commercial interests.
OGBL has taken proactive steps by advising employees who worked on the holiday—and who are not in managerial positions—to meticulously check their payslips. The union emphasizes the importance of ensuring that they receive the additional compensation mandated by law. This initiative is part of their broader efforts to safeguard workers’ rights and ensure that labor laws are respected.
The union has also encouraged any worker who discovers discrepancies in their compensation to reach out to their human resources department or staff representatives. Such measures aim to provide the necessary support and guidance to those affected, ensuring that all employees receive what they are legally entitled to. By doing so, OGBL seeks to uphold the integrity of labor rights in Luxembourg.