[Luxembourg] Record €9m fines for labour law breaches

Luxembourg’s labour inspectorate announced on May 12 that the country has issued a record €9.2 million in fines to companies that breached labour, health and safety rules in 2021, Luxembourg Times reports.

Inspectors attend businesses and worksites unannounced to spot-check whether firms are following the rules, the inspectorate's annual report said. These inspections revealed violations that led to 2,300 fines last year - 10 per cent more than in 2020 - totalling €300,000 more in 2021 than the previous year.

The fines reportedly punished companies for allowing imminent risks of accidents at work or labour law breaches such as employing people without a contract, paying a salary below minimum wage or requiring excessive working hours.

Just over €4 million in fines were issued to companies that assign staff to work in Luxembourg for short periods, the report said. Around 4,400 companies seconded staff to the Grand Duchy last year, primarily in construction, manufacturing and commerce. They came mainly from Germany (46 per cent), but also Belgium (12 per cent) and France (4 per cent).   

More than 2,800 inspections checked whether firms were adhering to COVID-19 rules. More than 1,200 companies were penalised for not making their staff respect social distancing rules or wear a face mask. More than 100 companies did not provide protective equipment against the virus for their staff, the report said, while eight companies failed to adapt the office space to conform with COVID laws.

Luxembourg’s labour inspectorate announced on May 12 that the country has issued a record €9.2 million in fines to companies that breached labour, health and safety rules in 2021, Luxembourg Times reports.

Inspectors attend businesses and worksites unannounced to spot-check whether firms are following the rules, the inspectorate's annual report said. These inspections revealed violations that led to 2,300 fines last year - 10 per cent more than in 2020 - totalling €300,000 more in 2021 than the previous year.

The fines reportedly punished companies for allowing imminent risks of accidents at work or labour law breaches such as employing people without a contract, paying a salary below minimum wage or requiring excessive working hours.

Just over €4 million in fines were issued to companies that assign staff to work in Luxembourg for short periods, the report said. Around 4,400 companies seconded staff to the Grand Duchy last year, primarily in construction, manufacturing and commerce. They came mainly from Germany (46 per cent), but also Belgium (12 per cent) and France (4 per cent).   

More than 2,800 inspections checked whether firms were adhering to COVID-19 rules. More than 1,200 companies were penalised for not making their staff respect social distancing rules or wear a face mask. More than 100 companies did not provide protective equipment against the virus for their staff, the report said, while eight companies failed to adapt the office space to conform with COVID laws.