European Restructuring Monitor (ERM)
Eurofound's ERM database on restructuring-related legal regulations provides information on regulations in the Member States of the European Union and Norway which are explicitly or implicitly linked to anticipating and managing change.
Art.L. 125-1 (1) and Art.L-127-1 to L. 127-6
The legislation on transfer of undertaking is applicable to private or public companies which are being transferred within the territory of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. According to the national Labour Code (which comprises all labour laws), a transfer must involve an economic entity which transfers sufficient numbers of staff or technical means required to form its establishment, or at least a unit or centre of activities (whether a central or ancillary activity), and which maintains its identity after the transfer. In particular, a legal transfer, merger, succession or sale all constitute a transfer, however, this list is not exhaustive. The acquisition of interest or shares in a company is not enough to warrant a transfer.
All employees (except civil servants) are covered by the labour legislation. An 'employee' is a person who works for an employer in a relationship of subordination and is remunerated for that work. This includes secondees and apprentices. All obligations arising from an employment contract (fixed-term or permanent contract) are automatically transferred to the transferee. This includes pension rights and liabilities. However, the transferor and transferee may be jointly liable for claims arising within one year of the transfer. Collective agreements are also transferred on as-is basis, and must remain intact until their expiry or until a new agreement is concluded. Employees continue to benefit by the collective labour agreement. Employee benefits are also transferred, however if the transferee is unable to provide the equivalent benefits as agreed upon by the transferor, small amendments to the contract are permitted with the agreement of the employee.
Although employers retain the right to modify employment contracts in the normal course of business, any substantial modification found to be in direct relation to the transfer will be considered invalid. Similarly, employers retain the right to dismiss employees on economic or performance grounds. However, if such actions are found to be in relation to the transfer, they are considered invalid and the employer may be liable to compensate for the unfair dismissal or changes to employment. Only modifications which are seen to benefit the employee will be excepted from this rule.
The transferee or the transferor may, together with the representatives of the employees and the national representative trade unions, agree to modify, to the extent that the current legislation or practice allows it, the working conditions of the employee to safeguard employment by the survival of the enterprise, establishment or part of the undertaking. If a transfer occurs within three months of, or in relation to insolvency proceedings, any contracts which were terminated in relation to such proceedings will be automatically renewed. An employee is not entitled to refuse a transfer. If an employee choses to oppose a transfer, the employee must decide to terminate the contract.
Collective labour market agreements may add additional agreements to the legal framework in place. For example, the collective labour market agreement in the finance sector (2021-2023) prevents employee dismissals on the grounds of restructuring or reorganisation, or any change of the employment contract (unless the staff delegation agrees) for a period of two years after the transferral.
Eurofound (2016), Luxembourg: Employment protection in relation to business transfers, Restructuring legislation database, Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/legislationdb/employment-protection-in-relation-to-business-transfers/luxembourg
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