The General Confederation of the Civil Service (CGFP) will stage an independent demonstration on 25 June at 1.30pm outside the Chamber of Deputies, distancing itself from the joint union protest planned by the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) and the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) for 28 June. The decision reflects growing discontent among the country’s labour organisations with the current government’s approach to social dialogue.
At a Tuesday press conference, CGFP leaders condemned what they called a breakdown in trust, citing discrepancies between the Prime Minister’s recently unveiled pension reform figures and earlier discussions with social partners. The union’s executive committee expressed outrage that key data presented by Luc Frieden’s government allegedly deviated from conclusions reached during months of expert-led consultations.
While the Prime Minister and Social Security Minister Martine Deprez confirmed the CGFP’s demands would be reviewed at the next Government Council meeting, the union remains sceptical. Officials acknowledged government assurances that “nothing is finalised” but noted no substantive concessions on core issues. “The extended consultation now appears to have been a sham debate that could have been avoided”, the CGFP stated.
The union sharply criticised the government’s handling of pension reform negotiations, calling it “shameful” that key proposals were announced in the state of the nation address without prior consultation with social partners. The union alleges this created a fait accompli before formal discussions could begin, accusing the CSV-DP coalition of “fostering societal division” rather than cohesion.
In a pointed statement, the CGFP declared that core principles of social dialogue and solidarity had been “completely disregarded”. This follows a 6 May letter from Luxembourg’s three major unions urging Prime Minister Frieden to seek tripartite consensus – a request they claim was deflected when Frieden redirected responsibility to Social Security Minister Martine Deprez.
“Is this genuine social dialogue?” the union questioned.
The CGFP’s 25 June demonstration – staged under the slogan “Fir e richtege Sozialdialog! Elo!” (“Genuine social dialogue! Now!”) – will protest both the pension reform and perceived threats to Luxembourg’s social model. The event has gained support from key allies, including the General Federation of Municipal Workers (FGFC) and railway union SYPROLUX.
“Pensions concern everyone”, the CGFP emphasised, framing the protest as an initial warning signal: “The CGFP executive committee voted unanimously to take this action in view of the latest developments.”
The Prime Minister has responded to the latest developments, inviting all social partners to a meeting at the Ministry of State on 9 July.
