On Tuesday afternoon, Prime Minister Luc Frieden received representatives of the OGBL, LCGB, and CGFP trade unions for an exchange of views on current economic and social issues in Luxembourg. “It was a meeting to get to know each other”, said Nora Back, president of the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL), who is also the outgoing president of the Chamber of Employees.
The first meeting between the country’s main trade unions and Prime Minister Luc Frieden, however, lasted just over an hour. The encounter was set up after the three unions had voiced frustrations about not being invited to the housing roundtable two weeks ago.
According to Back, a wide range of topics were discussed: “We also talked about housing, but not very much and not in great detail. The Prime Minister explained to us that the housing roundtable had been organised to try and see how to build more quickly. But, we pointed out that we are the crafts people and that we represent those who work in these sectors. But also all those who live and work in Luxembourg, who are tenants or owners. As a result, we think it is imperative that we take part in the discussions on this issue.”
While measures such as the simplification of administrative procedures and an economic boost to combat the housing problem are welcomed by the unions, the social aspect is, according to the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) and the General Confederation of the Civil Service (CGFP), too insignificant and too favourable to investors.
To that the PM responded that kickstarting construction is “not a matter of social dialogue. It’s a matter for the state, municipalities, and construction companies. The unions have once again said that they would have found it interesting to be present. But this is no longer an important issue, they have heard and accepted my explanations.”
Stressing the continued commitment to social dialogue, Frieden nevertheless announced further thematic meetings with the unions in the coming weeks and months.
