A proposed change to night pay rules could cut workers’ gross wages by at least €343, according to a study by the Christian trade union ACV and the think tank Minerva, while also reducing government revenue from taxes and social security contributions.
The government plans to redefine night work hours as midnight to 5:00, instead of the current span of 20:00 to 6:00. As a result, night pay bonuses would only apply to five hours of work each night, rather than ten. The reform is intended to improve the competitiveness of domestic businesses compared to foreign counterparts.
For workers in sectors such as food production, the changes could mean a gross wage loss of at least €343 per month, the study warned. Night premiums vary across companies, with many offering rates higher than legal minimums. For instance, night workers at supermarket chain Delhaize stand to lose an average of €569 per month in bonuses. Around 32,000 night workers and 140,000 evening workers would be affected, collectively losing an estimated €25 million.
The study also highlights fiscal drawbacks for the government. With lower social security contributions and income taxes from night workers, the state could lose approximately €18 million in revenue.
Study author Olivier Malay criticised the reform as an expensive initiative with uncertain outcomes.
