Luxembourg's two main trade unions, LCGB and OGBL, have accused Labour Minister Georges Mischo of being unfit for office in a scathing letter to Prime Minister Luc Frieden, calling his leadership and conduct into question.

The Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) and Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) have launched a strong attack on CVS Labour Minister Georges Mischo, declaring him unfit for his role. Their message is set out in a recent letter sent to Prime Minister Luc Frieden, a document obtained by the RTL editorial team.

Across more than three pages, the unions sharply criticise Mischo's work and conduct, accusing him of failing to perform his duties honourably and of behaving inappropriately. Between the lines, the unions also urge the Prime Minister to take action.

While tensions between the sides were already known, the letter from presidents Nora Back and Patrick Dury reveals the depth of the rift. Both union leaders inform the Prime Minister that, in their view, Mischo is clearly a misappointment.

The language used is notably severe. According to the unions, the Minister is not up to the demands of his mandate, lacks essential expertise, and does not possess the required practical or personal capacities. They also accuse him of failing to conduct himself appropriately.

A minister, they argue, should demonstrate leadership, communicate effectively, and be able to solve problems. LCGB and OGBL maintain that Mischo meets none of these expectations. They provide a chronology of developments over the past two years that, in their view, illustrate his shortcomings. They claim Mischo downgraded the Standing Committee on Labour and Employment (CPTE) to a mere consultative body, with no coherent approach.

The government is also accused of unilaterally pushing draft laws without discussing them within the committee. The unions criticise Mischo for raising the issue of reforming the collective holiday, despite it never having been a point of conflict between social partners. They further state that he refused to give unions guarantees regarding collective agreement negotiations, a move that appears to have angered them significantly.

According to the unions' joint front, Mischo has repeatedly "poured oil on the fire" over the past two years and has shown no respect towards trade unions. More broadly, they argue that the government has so far handled social dialogue according to the principle: "first we consult, then we decide, and we decide alone".

The unions state that relations with Mischo have reached rock bottom and that trust in the Labour Minister has evaporated. They add that any restoration of a constructive and calm social dialogue depends on the Ministry fulfilling the necessary conditions.

Whether this wording implicitly calls for Mischo's replacement is open to interpretation, but the unions clearly demand changes or consequences.

The letter, dated 9 October, was addressed to Prime Minister Luc Frieden, with copies sent to Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Mischo himself. The Labour Minister is expected to respond to the unions' accusations on Thursday at midday.