On Sunday, Luxembourg's three major unions issued a joint press release to offering an "ultimatum" to the government.

The government is currently holding talks about the introduction of CovidChecks in the workplace with the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL), the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB), and the Confederation of Public Servants (CGFP). Two days after a meeting, during which no consensus could be achieved, the unions have now issued an ultimatum and denounced the government's handling of the situation without including employee and union representatives.

Although all three unions support the government's vaccination campaign, they refuse to punish unvaccinated workers only to push up the national vaccination rate. They believe that the government should have organised a better campaign rather than "sneaking in" a mandate at a later stage. The statement therefore concludes that the expansion of the CovidCheck system in the workplace endangers social peace.

What will be the consequences for an employee who cannot comply with the CovidCheck system? Will it be considered a refusal to work with premeditated consequences? Why not maintain social distancing and masks? The unions emphasises that government officials were unable to answer any of those questions during their meeting last week.

The union coalition therefore demanded that certified Covid tests should stay free of charge ahead of the vote on the new Covid law on Monday. Since their request was not respected and the law passed, it is to be expected that the unions will initiate "legal action" against the government.