The government will not extend the 'head of family' allowance to private sector workers, Labour Minister Georges Mischo confirmed Wednesday, rejecting a petition calling for equal child support regardless of parents' employment status.

The Luxembourg government will not extend the 'head of family' allowance – currently granted to civil servants with children – to private sector employees, Labour Minister Georges Mischo confirmed during a Chamber debate on Wednesday. The discussion followed a public petition urging equal access to the family allowance for parents in the private sector, arguing that children should not be disadvantaged based on their parents' employment status.

The petition, filed and represented by Dara Miranda, called for fairness in child support, with Miranda also proposing that the state should finance the allowance for private sector workers. This position was not originally outlined in the petition, which explains why only Minister Mischo, and not also Family Affairs Minister Max Hahn, was invited to the debate.

MPs quickly pointed out that the state already pays the family allowance to its employees in its role as employer. Mischo responded that applying the allowance to the private sector would not be feasible and would create disparities in support for families with children. He also explained that the coalition agreement does not foresee the state imposing this on private sector employers.

"The state paid out 133 million in 2023 for this family allowance", said Mischo. "It is not the case that the state would take it over for everyone in the private sector and the public service."

The debate also highlighted broader concerns about family support structures. Petition committee president Francine Closener of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) acknowledged the petition's relevance, stating that many people in Luxembourg face financial hardship and may not be aware of existing aid. "There are many allowances, but perhaps it's also a structural problem", she said, adding that her party would explore the issue further.

Wednesday's session was the first to publicly present conclusions from a petition debate, which is part of a push for greater transparency under new regulations.