The requirement for some employees to work at Amazon’s Kirchberg site during Luxembourg’s National Day public holiday on June 23 has drawn criticism from the country’s Independent Trade Union Confederation (OGBL). The union expressed concerns about the decision, as they believe public holidays should be reserved for workers to enjoy time off, except in sectors like healthcare and emergency response where services are essential.
Amazon explained that the need for staff on this day was due to its annual Prime Day operations, which coincidentally fell on the holiday. The company emphasized that participation was voluntary and only involved a limited number of employees. Amazon also reassured that all workers would be compensated according to Luxembourg’s labor laws.
OGBL, however, highlighted that even voluntary work on public holidays doesn’t exempt employers from their legal obligations regarding holiday pay. The union stressed the importance of adhering to the compensation regulations, ensuring that workers are adequately rewarded for their time, as stipulated by the law.
The union has advised employees who worked during the holiday, particularly those not in management positions, to scrutinize their payslips for proper compensation. They encouraged workers to reach out to their human resources department or staff representatives should they find any discrepancies or if they have concerns about their pay. This step is crucial for ensuring that all legal entitlements are met.