Two-thirds of the 170 employees at Byborg, a subsidiary of Docler Holding, were let go. Robert Forniere of the LCGB union was part of the negotiations.

Docler Holding has cut 115 of the 170 jobs at its Luxembourg subsidiary Byborg, citing a major restructuring. The company, known for its digital platforms and adult-content streaming services, argued that artificial intelligence will now replace many of its existing work processes.

A social plan was negotiated on Tuesday, with the LCGB stepping in at the request of Docler’s neutral staff delegation. "This clearly shows the need for strong trade union organisations in this country," said Robert Fornieri, executive member of the LCGB. Neutral delegations alone, he added, often lack the expertise and leverage to face such situations.

Fornieri noted that even the LCGB was surprised by the "argumentation and aggressiveness" with which management pushed through the social plan. According to him, Docler’s leadership avoided meaningful negotiations, presenting AI as the main reason for the dismissals.

"We really haven’t been able to verify whether that’s the only argument, I have to be honest," Fornieri stressed. Staff from HR, accounting and IT were also affected, suggesting that economic pressures may have played a role.

The LCGB considers the case a wake-up call. "Artificial intelligence is part of digitalisation, part of new technologies – it is nothing new. It is simply important to frame and accompany it," said Fornieri.

He warned against citing AI as a blanket justification for job cuts, and pointed to the need for stronger legal safeguards. While Luxembourg already has an action plan addressing digitalisation and employment, Fornieri said it is important that plans for maintaining jobs are drawn up before a social plan is put in place.

He argued that the legal framework and social dialogue must be reinforced "in the interest of companies, employees and, of course, the government."