Government and employers’ representatives spent two and half hours on Thursday in a bipartite meeting to prepare the upcoming tripartite session with unions on Sunday. Reason for the lengthy debate was a thorough discussion of Luxembourg’s economy.
Representatives from the different sectors and officials from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC) presented their economic analyses. According to Michel Reckinger, president of Luxembourg Employers’ Association (UEL), both sides are aligned in their estimations that Luxembourg is facing some tough times.
In light of elevated energy prices and the respective implications on construction and industry, UEL strongly advocates for more complex support measures to be put in place over the next 18 months rather than just focusing on the index cut.
Reckinger noted: “It is very clear that we will have to do something substantial to help households and businesses that are struggling to cope. ... But let us first agree on what everyone needs to weather the storm, then we can calculate how much it costs and how to finance it.”
While the UEL president painted a rather bleak picture after the meeting, the country’s three major unions expressed unity in face of the crisis.
Nora Back, president of the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) stated: “The three national representative unions will enter negotiations in unity, we prepared together and will jointly conduct negotiations.”
Patrick Dury, president of the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB), noted: “The unions are aligned and we will enter tripartite negotiations united.”
Romain Wolff, president of the Civil Service Union (CGFP), stressed the same sentiment: “We will enter negotiations together, jointly, united.”
None of the union presidents were willing to convey more insights after the meeting on Wednesday. They explained that they first have to revise the STATEC numbers.
Message of unity from Luxembourg’s three major unions (in Luxembourgish)
