Luxembourg's pharmacy sector has reached a compromise

On 12 December 2025, a fundamental breakthrough was reached in the protracted negotiations to update the collective labour agreement in Luxembourg's pharmacy sector. The document was the result of almost a year of dialogue between employee representatives and the Syndicate of Luxembourg Pharmacists, which represents the interests of employers.

This result was only possible after going through the National Office for Reconciliation (ONC) and the active mobilisation of the workers, without which a compromise would not have been possible. In recognition of this victory, the unions announced the cancellation of the protest planned for 13 December in Luxembourg.

The agreement is for three years and contains a number of notable improvements for employees in the pharmacy sector:

• Cancellation of Category A with automatic transfer of staff to the higher paid Category B.
• Salary increases: +5% for categories B, C and D: 2.5% each in 2026 and 2027. +3% for category E: 1.5% each in 2026 and 2027.
• Increase in annual leave: employees will now receive 30 days per year (26 standard + 4 additional days).
• New system of payment for night duty: Each hour shift on duty will be counted as a full hour of work; Night hours will be paid with a 25% premium.

This agreement is designed not only to improve the financial situation of pharmacy staff, but also to bring more work-life balance, especially given the tensions and instability seen in the health sector in recent years.

The agreed terms are not yet finalised - both sides have yet to formally approve the text of the agreement through their respective bodies. Nevertheless, the unions are already calling the agreement a "significant step forward" and emphasise that it was made possible solely thanks to the resilience of the workers and their massive support throughout the negotiations.