Ahead of the 2024 social elections the OGBL intensifies its advocacy for improved collective labour laws while cautioning against pension system changes that disadvantage workers, as outlined by trade union president Nora Back in a recent interview with RTL.
With three months to go before the social elections, the Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) takes stock of an eventful 2023. In conversation with RTL, OGBL president Nora Back noted: "The situation is growing more acute. It always seems to have been the case in social history that when there are crises, it's usually the 'little' people, the working people, who are hit the hardest. Today, we live through multiple crises. We're coming out of the pandemic, the consequences of the war are having an impact on inflation, and as a result people have less purchasing power."
Disputes over collective labour agreements, which already played a decisive role in the 2019 social elections, are bound to remain an OGBL priority in 2024. Cargolux and Ampacet are just two of the most prominent disputes happening in Luxembourg at the moment. The trade union therefore aims at having 80% of companies in Luxembourg operate with collective agreements.
At present, only around half of businesses have such an agreement in place. In this regard, politicians should make a good resolution for next year, according to the OGBL: "We need a better law. The one we have today no longer corresponds to the reality of the working world in Luxembourg. We need a better law on collective labour agreements, which is why we need political will. So, we now expect the government to take this step in the future so that we can have more sectoral collective agreements."
Another major issue in the run-up to the elections, which will take place on 12 March, are pensions. The OGBL shows itself concerned, warning that a change in the pension system structure should not be made at the expense of the working class. This is a social issue that will soon require dialogue with social partners, according to the trade union: "Today we have the tripartite model that has proved its worth in Luxembourg. There are three partners who sit down together and there has to be a discussion."
OGBL management is meanwhile set to expand by two people in 2024 with the arrival of two experienced individuals: Pit Bach and David Angel.
Read also: Tripartite - the Luxembourgish social model
