Luxembourg's trade unions demand guarantees
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On 30 June, the trade union front OGBL-LCGB sent an official letter to Prime Minister Luc Frieden outlining its demands and the conditions for participation in the tripartite meeting scheduled for 9 July. The letter followed immediately after the largest demonstration in recent years, which gathered more than 25,000 people in the centre of Luxembourg. The unions said they are ready for dialogue, but only if classic tripartism is restored, where decisions are taken jointly by the government, unions and employers, not imposed from above.
Main conditions for participation
Firstly, trade unions require written confirmation from the Prime Minister that collective agreements are inviolable. This means that only nationally recognised unions will be able to negotiate and sign agreements. Also required is a rejection of the draft allowing companies to enter into "internal" agreements without the participation of such unions.
Secondly, the OGBL and LCGB insist that the draft law on Sunday working should only allow shifts to be extended (from 4 to 8 hours) on the basis of collective agreements. The same applies to proposals to change working hours in the retail sector: the unions demand that any changes to shop opening times should be collectively agreed.
Third, the unions demand a complete rejection of political attempts to revise the minimum wage methodology, in particular with regard to its linkage to the poverty threshold. They demand negotiations on a real increase in the minimum wage so that it finally exceeds the poverty threshold.
With regard to the reform of the pension system, the unions demand full tripartite negotiations on all the areas outlined in the joint report of the OGBL and LCGB. They insist on strengthening the state pension system, emphasising its key role.
The issue of financial sustainability of the health and maternity insurance system is raised separately. The trade unions believe that solutions in this area are impossible without direct negotiations between the government and the social partners.
The letter concludes by reminding the OGBL and LCGB that they represent 125,000 members and calls on the Prime Minister to respect not only their participation in the dialogue, but also their daily work on behalf of workers and pensioners.
