A three-year collective agreement in the Luxembourg cleaning sector, signed in December 1999, has introduced a three-month reference period for working time flexibility and guaranteed workers a working week of no more than five days.
Download article in original language : LU0001123NFR.DOC
A three-year collective agreement in the Luxembourg cleaning sector, signed in December 1999, has introduced a three-month reference period for working time flexibility and guaranteed workers a working week of no more than five days.
On 15 December 1999, a collective agreement for employees of office-cleaning companies was signed by the Luxembourg Federation of Office-Cleaning Companies (Fédération luxembourgeoise des entreprises de nettoyage de bâtiments) and the trade unions - the Luxembourg Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (Onofhängege Gewerkschafts-Bond Lëtzebuerg, OGB-L) and the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtleche Gewerkschafts-Bond, LCGB).
The two unions stated that negotiations were long and hard, but that "the satisfactory outcome involves a new collective agreement that will clarify and improve the pay and conditions of employment of over 4,000 people, most of whom are female immigrants and cross-border workers."
The agreement lasts for three years, starting from 1 January 2000. In addition to the usual clauses dealing with recruitment, duration of working time, annual holiday and termination of contract, the agreement sets out precise details relating to the organisation of working time. It thus introduces a three-month reference period for variations in working hours around an average, guarantees that staff may work no more than five days a week, and lays down rules for part-time working. The deal also:
lays down precise rules to be adhered to in the event of changes in the cleaning contracts between employers and clients;
awards an LUF 50 hourly bonus for unusually difficult, dangerous and unhealthy work;
sets minimum hourly pay rates of LUF 277.75-LUF 347.18, according to the skill levels and job classifications set out in the collective agreement; and
commits the parties to opening talks on the possible introduction of a year-end bonus.
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (2000), Collective agreement signed for cleaning sector, article.
