Wages and Accommodation Costs Increase

Starting from January 1, 2024, salaries (for scales A to H) and gross allowances will be raised by 4%. Accommodation costs will also increase simultaneously in accordance with the Tax Authority, but not exceeding 4%.

On July 1, 2024, salaries (for scales A to H) and gross allowances will be increased by 2%. Again, accommodation costs will rise in line with the Tax Authority, not exceeding 2%.

From January 1, 2025, salaries (for scales A to H) and gross allowances will be increased by 4%. Accommodation costs will also rise in accordance with the Tax Authority, up to a maximum of 4%.

Salary Scales, Steps, Youth Wages & Internship Compensation

Starting January 1, 2024, salary scale A and step 0 in scales A to H will be removed from the new collective labor agreement (cao) for freight transport. Additionally, youth wages for qualified young individuals will be eliminated, and a minimum internship compensation of €200 gross per month will be included in the collective labor agreement.

Note: A clear explanation and definition of what exactly constitutes an intern and the requirements for interns will follow.

Rest and Overtime

From January 1, 2024, employees, upon returning to their base, have the right to take the following hours of rest*:

• Ten hours of rest three times a week
• Eleven hours of rest twice a week

*Deviation from Article 8, Paragraph 4, in conjunction with Article 4, Subsection g of Regulation (EC) No. 561/2006.

In addition, employees have the right to refuse overtime beyond an average of 50 hours per week. The average over a four-week period is considered. Employees must submit a request to their employer to avail of this arrangement. This must be done at least four weeks before the start of a new quarter.

Vacation Pay & Vacation Days

Vacation pay can be paid out monthly instead of in one lump sum. However, an agreement at the company level must be reached before the start of the calendar year.

Additionally, from 2024, it is possible to buy or sell four non-statutory vacation days. This allows employees to choose to take four extra days off in the year or to sell these days to earn more money.