Monaco: Labour Regulation

Employment legislation in Monaco might be said to be somewhat old-fashioned. The extensive employment protection available to EU citizens does not apply, and there is not much in the way of equivalent Monagesque law.

The great majority of employees in Monaco are not Monagesque at all, but either foreign residents or day-commuters from population centres in France and Italy. Such individuals do not have a strong negotiating position with their employers. Many of them are in fact on short-term contracts which can bypass what legal protection does exist. Unemployment in Monaco is low, although much of it is probably voluntary.

There are trades unions in Monaco, and they have a Federation, which has called demonstrations from time to time to protest about job insecurity, hiring and firing practices, and the absence of statutory protection. Demonstrators are likely to be non-Monagesque, because the original citizens, called 'feudals' by other residents, receive privileged treatment and are unlikely to be discontented.

After one particularly large demonstration some years ago former Prince Rainier made some concessions, but for the most part nothing changes.

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Monaco Work Permits

Any non-French national wishing to take up employment in Monaco must obtain a work permit from the authorities. To obtain a work permit the foreign national must submit a visa application, a contract of employment and evidence of a fixed address in Monaco. There are no quotas on the hiring of foreign nationals and work permits are not hard to obtain but Government policy is for priority to be given to residents and nationals of Monaco.

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