Welcome to the Danish labour market – and most likely to one of the professions where people are typically members of the Danish Union of Plumbers and Pipefitters, since you have landed on this page. The Danish Union of Plumbers and Pipefitters is the trade union for plumbers and chimney sweeps, and you are always welcome to contact us. On this page, you can read more about your rights in the Danish labour market.
Your rights in the labour market
Check your collective agreement
In Denmark, it is not the government but the social partners (trade unions and employer organisations) who decide many of the rules that apply in the labour market. For example, the social partners negotiate the rules governing pay and working conditions. These rules are set out in a collective agreement, which is an agreement between your trade union and an employers’ organisation/your company.
There is no statutory minimum wage in Denmark. Therefore, you must always make sure to know whether your employer is covered by a collective agreement. You can do this by contacting your local trade union.
Pension
If your employer is covered by a collective agreement, you are entitled to a pension scheme. Your employer is required to pay for it. Usually, this amounts to totally 13% of your salary, of which your employer contributes 11 % and you 2 %.
Holiday
By Danish law, you are entitled to 5 weeks of holiday per year (25 days), with holiday pay equal to 12.5% of your salary. In addition, collective agreements secure you an extra week of holiday. You are entitled to take three of your weeks consecutively between 1 May and 30 September.
Employment contract
When you work in Denmark, you must have an employment contract, which must include:
- Name
- CPR/CVR numbers
- Address
- Start date
- Phone numbers
- Information about the collective agreement
- Pay structure – hourly wage or piecework pay
The employment contract must be signed in two copies by both you and your employer.
Wage floor under collective agreements
Your pay is agreed between you and your employer based on the collective agreement. Your wage depends on the type of work you perform. It is important to remember that this rate is the starting point for negotiation. Under the Plumbing and HVAC collective agreement, it is DKK 139.85 per hour. This is the minimum you must be paid. On top of this, allowances are added.
Every year we compile a wage statistics report; for example, in 2025 it showed that plumbers earned an average of DKK 246.02 per hour.
Payslips
You must receive a payslip with every wage payment. The most important information that must appear on your payslip is:
- Hourly rate
- Number of working hours
- Overtime pay
- Pay during sickness
- Holiday pay
- Pension contributions and public holiday savings
- If there is any mention of advance payments (aconto), you must check that the amount matches what you have actually been paid.
FAQ
Why become a member of the Danish Union of Plumbers and Pipefitters (Blik- og Rørarbejderforbundet)?
If you work in a company covered by a collective agreement, it may very well be the Danish Union of Plumbers and Pipefitters that has negotiated your pay and working conditions during collective bargaining. For the union to stand strong in these negotiations, it is important that those working in the industry are also members of the union. As a member, you also gain access to legal advice, we can pursue cases on your behalf if your employer does not comply with the rules – and not least, you receive a wide range of membership benefits.
Who does the Danish Union of Plumbers and Pipefitters organise?
The Danish Union of Plumbers and Pipefitters organises the vast majority of plumbers, sheet metal workers, and chimney sweeps working in Denmark.
What rights do I have if I fall ill?
It is important that you remember to report sick. Typically, this must be done no later than two hours after you were due to start work. However, there may be other local rules at your workplace, so always make sure you are aware of them.
If, for example, you work under the Plumbing and HVAC collective agreement and have at least two months of seniority, you are entitled to pay during sickness for up to nine weeks. However, the pay will usually not include all the allowances you would otherwise have received.
What is a shop steward and a health and safety representative?
A shop steward is the person who can help you if you have problems – or if there is something you do not understand. He or she can also help you check whether your pay is correct.
If you work under, for example, the Plumbing and HVAC collective agreement and there are at least four employees covered by the agreement in the company, you are entitled to elect a shop steward.
At the company, you may also be entitled to elect a health and safety representative. This person’s task is to help ensure that workplace accidents are prevented and that work is organised in a safe manner with regard to employees’ health and safety.
Read more about living in Denmark:
- On The official guide to life in Denmark you can find general information about living in Denmark. Here you can read about everything from MitID, driving licences, taxes, and much more. https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/