The housing crisis, the Covid tax, and the consequences of privatisation in the health sector were some of the issues discussed at the OGBL's national committee on Tuesday.
The union's demands are clear: adequate taxation to curb real estate and land speculation, increased tax fairness and no privatisation of the health sector.
A year of Covid has not contributed to a deceleration of the Grand Duchy's challenges in these areas, but has in fact reinforced them, especially in the housing market. It is imperative that direct political signals are sent out, demands OGBL president Nora Back. There is a need for legislation and taxation that puts an end to real estate and land speculation in Luxembourg. Without a brake on speculation, spiralling prices will no longer be controllable.
This weren't just a health crisis, but a crisis in general, the OGBL underlines. The union calls for a cap on rents, which would depend on the tenants' income.
In addition, the purchasing power of the lower and middle classes should be increased by exempting them from certain taxes. A coronavirus tax for the winners of the crisis, as mentioned by the LSAP at its national congress, is welcome. The union notes that multinationals will be the main groups affected by such a tax.
An austerity plan by the government should not be implemented now, the OGBL advises. All state aid and subsidies must continue, because we are still in an emergency situation after all, according to president Back.
The OGBL remains very concerned about the issue of health care, more specifically about a possible partial privatisation of this sector. To the union, such a path would be unacceptable. Privatisation is not necessary if collaboration between partners is improved. The OGBL also takes a dim view of the attempt by some doctors to turn health care into a business. This must be opposed to prevent the development of second-class medicine.
