In an interview with Le Quotidian published on Monday morning, Economy Minister Lex Delles made his disagreement with parliamentary group leader and MP Marc Spautz of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) over his public critique of the government's intended labour law modifications.

In the interview, Economy Minister Lex Delles of the Democratic Party (DP) delved into current national and international challenges that will have an impact on the Luxembourgish economy.

In the context of national politics, Delles was asked about the recent criticism voiced by the Luxembourgish trade unions concerning the extension of Sunday working hours, to which he replied with a commitment to social dialogue, while also highlighting that his stance was clear from the very beginning because the coalition agreement calls for the extension of Sunday working hours.

Delles was pressed further, and was specifically asked for his view regarding Christian Social People's Party (CSV) MP Marc Spautz' public critique of the government's handling of this labour law modification. Spautz, who is the parliamentary group leader of the CSV, has voiced his criticism over this matter on various occasions, such as during the CSV national congress, the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) national congress, and during an interview with RTL last week.

Delles disagreed with Spautz' lone wolf approach, stating that it is very "sensitive" to keep questioning a project when the coalition agreement is clear in its goal to modernise labour law. Delles added that finding solutions is difficult if one MP, namely Spautz, does it alone.

Spautz stated in the interview with RTL last week that he is aware of the coalition agreement, but he made clear that the agreement does not specify how the modernisation of labour law will be achieved. Spautz instead pleaded for these changes to occur through collective bargaining.

In the context of labour law, the government is also seeking to modify current legislation on collective bargaining agreements.

Against this backdrop, Luxembourg's two biggest trade unions, namely the OGBL and the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB), have made plans for a national demonstration to be held at the end of June.

Read more: Sunday working hours to be reformed under new regulations and Demand for extended retail hours is unknown, says Lex Delles