The Independent Trade Union Confederation of Luxembourg (OGBL) has taken issue with Amazon over its decision to have some employees work at its Kirchberg location during the country’s National Day public holiday on June 23. The union criticized the move, stating that public holidays should typically be reserved for workers to rest, except in critical services like healthcare and emergency response.
Amazon defended its actions by explaining that a small group of employees volunteered to work on the holiday as it coincided with the company’s annual Prime Day operations. The company emphasized that participation was limited and assured that all involved employees would receive compensation in line with Luxembourg’s labor regulations.
Despite Amazon’s statement, the OGBL maintained that volunteering does not absolve employers from their legal obligations regarding holiday pay. The union underscored that public holidays should be a time off for employees, except in cases where essential services are involved.
The union has advised any non-management staff who worked on June 23 to thoroughly check their payslips to ensure they receive the appropriate additional holiday compensation as mandated by law. Employees who detect any discrepancies in their pay have been encouraged to reach out to their human resources department or their staff representatives for assistance.