Liechtenstein Information
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 15
Home Country: liechtenstein
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 Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:47 am Post subject: EMPLOYMENT IN LIECHTENSTEIN (Getting a Job) |
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EMPLOYMENT IN LIECHTENSTEIN (Getting a Job)
Job chances for foreigners in Liechtenstein
For most foreigners, Liechtenstein appears to be a paradise for working conditions. Liechtenstein employees enjoy some of the highest salaries in the world. Despite widespread job losses in Liechtenstein during the early 1990s recession, unemployment is still among the lowest in Europe.
Regarding the employment of foreigners, Liechtenstein is known for restrictive immigration policies and work permit quotas. Even though the system may seem complicated at first glance, finding a job in Liechtenstein isn’t as difficult as official Liechtenstein policy may lead you to believe. And the good news is that, according to Liechtenstein law, foreign workers have to be employed under the same salaries and work conditions as Liechtenstein citizens.
After 2007, a European citizen will have complete freedom of employment in Liechtenstein. At the same time, requirements for non-EU-citizens wishing to work in Liechtenstein have become stricter.
Languages
As in any foreign country, speaking the local language is a definitive advantage. For your job search, consider the main local language in the area where you wish to work.
If you’re aiming to work in an international institution or large multinational company, much of the work may be conducted in English with other non-Liechtenstein nationals. However, for national or smaller Liechtenstein companies, you will almost certainly be required to have a basic command of the local language. The level of language required will depend on the nature of the position and what sort of work you will be doing.
Recognition of diplomas
Many professions and jobs in Liechtenstein are regulated and/or require some formal qualifications. For many trades and professions, foreign qualifications are recognized as equivalent if the training is similar to the Liechtenstein qualification.
The best way of searching for jobs in Liechtenstein
There are many ways and places to look for a job in Liechtenstein. Many can be contacted before you arrive.
Newspapers & Magazines:
Job offers (Stellenmarkt - offres d’emploi) can be found in the classified sections of daily newspapers, in weekly newspapers, monthly magazines (city magazines) and specialized trade magazines and journals. For a fee, you can also place a situation wanted advertisement in many job sections, although you may find this quite ineffective.
Internet:
Online recruitment websites (Jobsbörsen - sites web d’emploi) allow you to make customised job-searches where you can specify the sector and even the region where you wish to work. Among the countless active job-hunting websites, there is an increasing number of sites with an interactive research option (online posting of CV, standard letters of application, job mailer, etc.).
Employment agencies:
Employment agencies play an important role in the Liechtenstein recruitment market. However, many agencies only work with candidates that are Liechtenstein citizens or foreigners with a B or C residence permit. An employment agency cannot apply for a residence and work permit on your behalf; this can only be done by a prospective employer.
Career fairs:
A good way to get on overview of the Liechtenstein job market is to visit a career fair. Fairs usually host a range of employers, often concentrating on a specific sector or industry. For many fairs, you have to apply in advance by sending in your CV. Employers will then get the CVs in advance and decide on whom they want to meet. Besides getting general information on employment perspectives in different companies, it is often also possible to arrange interview in advance.
Speculative applications:
If you are interested in working in a specific company, you can also send a speculative application. This should be addressed to the person responsible for recruitment of the head of the human resources department (Personalabteilungsleite - Directeur de Ressources Humaines). Some personnel departments file these applications, and if job positions become available they check these applications before advertising the position or contacting state employment offices.
Chambers of Commerce:
You can also contact the office of the chamber of commerce of your home country in Liechtenstein (if there is one). Chambers of commerce sometimes receive requests from companies trying to fill out a position with someone from a specific country, and some even have a database of open job positions.
EU citizens searching for jobs
For job searches up to 3 months, EU citizens don’t need a residence or work permit. If your search lasts longer, you have to apply for a residence permit for another 3 months. These permits are not subject to quotas and provide no access to the Liechtenstein social security system. As an EU citizen, you can also use some search options that are not available to other nationalities.
State employment agencies:
While you are still a job-seeker, you have the same right to assistance by the employment agencies as Liechtenstein citizens. In order to get that assistance, you have to register at the regional employment office (ORP - Office Régional de Placement).
EURES:
The EURES network is a partnership between the state employment services in the EU (European Union) / EEA (European Economic Area) to support free movement of workers. Liechtenstein has joined the EURES network. The network facilitates the circulation of vacancies and enables access of up-to-date information on living and working conditions in each EU/EEA member state via a computer network.
The EURES network has 500 specially trained staff throughout the EU/EEA who administer the EURES system. These ‘Euroadvisers’ specialize in the practical issues surrounding employment in the member states, and can assist workers and employees who wish to start a career abroad and help companies and employers to find suitable employees from all over the EU/EEA.
Salaries, working hours and annual leave
Liechtenstein has a very high costs of living when compared with countries in the European Union, but also relatively high levels of pay. However, be prepared to work a lot for your money!
Most surveys estimate that salaries (Gehalt - salaires) for both skilled and unskilled workers in Liechtenstein are generally two or three times higher than in most other European countries.
Based on an average of all fields, real wages have increased very little since the beginning of the 1990s.Pay levels vary greatly according to the different economic areas. In certain sectors, such as finance and insurance, wages are significantly higher than in others.
Determining your salary
In most cases, salaries are negotiable and it’s up to you to make sure that you receive an appropriate salary for your qualifications and experience. However, you need to bear in mind that in Liechtenstein wages are established according to the principle of seniority. Many Liechtenstein companies are reluctant to pay a young person (e.g. around 30) a top salary, irrespective of their qualifications or experience.
Minimum salaries exist in all trades and professions. During the last decade, employers in both the public and private sectors have increasingly adopted performance-related pay systems.
Salaries are usually reviewed once a year in November or December, with pay rises taking effect from 1st January of the following year. Most employers pay out a 13th monthly salary payment in December.
Working hours
Your working hours (Arbeitsstunden - horaire de travail) depend on your employer, your job and the industry you work in. They are usually stated in your employment contract (Arbeitsvertrag - contrat de travail).
Liechtenstein law fixes the maximumwork time to 45 hours per week for industrial workers, office personnel, technical personnel and other employees, including sales personnel in large-scale retail. For all other workers, the limit is fixed at 50 hours.
Flexible time management
Many Liechtenstein employers allow people to work flexible hours (Gleitzeit - horaire flexible), especially in manufacturing industries. The day is then divided into different blocks, which are shifted between employees. A block can start at 7.00 am (which isn’t early by Liechtenstein standards).
In principle, your employer can use any type of flexible time management. However, they must respect legal requirements (time off, breaks, official holidays, days off per week, ban on night shifts and work on Sundays, etc.). The employer must also consult workers before planning schedules and take into account the workers’ needs wherever possible.
Overtime
Overtime (Überstunden - heures supplémentaires) is defined as the hours exceeding the agreed amount of working hours (while remaining below the maximum weekly amount of work determined by the Labour Act). It is normally paid at 125% of the normal rate or compensated in the form of time off in lieu. If you have a managerial position, you probably won’t [spam word detected] extra or receive extra holidays.
Annual leave
Liechtenstein law guarantees workers the right to holiday leave; the minimum amount required by law is:
* four weeks for workers and apprentices over 20 years old
* five weeks for workers and apprentices up to 20 years old
This minimum length of holiday may be extended through contractual agreements. Most companies only offer a fifth week of vacation to employees who have attained a certain number of years of service and/or having reached a certain age.
The length of holiday in excess of the legal minimum can be reduced in the event that the worker is unable to work for an extended period of time because of illness, takes non-paid vacation, etc.
As a general rule, annual leave must be granted during the corresponding year of service and must include at least two consecutive weeks. You will be paid your full salary for during holidays. For as long as the employment relationship continues, holiday cannot be replaced by payment or other benefits. |
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