Both topics were discussed in the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday.

People with disabilities

Around 1,500 people with disabilities are currently looking for employment. MP Sven Clement (the Pirate Party) addressed the situation and concluded that for one, a lack of accessibility in public transport is preventing many people from getting to work. Clement therefore underlined the importance of expanding the Adapto bus service.

Clement further criticised the fact that the government regulations for representation of people with disabilities are widely disregarded.

Businesses with more than 25 employees need to recruit at least one person with disabilities, while businesses with more than 300 employees need 4% representation. The rate for public service is 5%.

However, these regulations are hardly ever met, Clement noted: "98% of big companies do not respect the rate. For medium-sized businesses, the rate is 80%, and 81% for small businesses with up to 50 employees."

Minister of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy Dan Kersch emphasised that if no formal complaints are filed against a business, no sanctions will be imposed.

He further underlined that the government provides substantial support for businesses employing people with disabilities and helps with the transition phases: "We want to prioritise the competences of a person, not their disabilities."

Road safety

MP Cécile Hemmen from the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party raised the issue of road safety.

Minister for Mobility and Public Works François Bausch underlined that since the 2013 action plan first came into effect, a lot of progress has been made. The number of annual deaths has declined from 46 to 26. (Editor's note: according to Statista, over the last 15 years road deaths peaked at 48 in 2009, which compares with 26 deaths in 2020. However, deaths rose slightly last year, with 22 deaths recorded in 2019).

Over the past two years, 900 trees were removed from road sides, and a combined distance of 20 kilometres has been reinforced with safety barriers.

MP Hemmen stressed that speeding remains a critical issue. Minister Bausch responded that the use of traffic cameras is an effective measure, noting that especially the new one between Gonderange and Waldhof has helped decrease the number of accidents: "Since the fixed speed camera has been installed, the number of infringements has decreased from 8,096 to 3,900."

Additionally, fines for the use of mobile phones while driving are expected to be raised to €250, with four rather than two points added to the license.