The proposal is part of a broader agreement – often referred to as a “package” – that remains under negotiation. Still, Sunday work was already on the agenda this Wednesday during a meeting of the parliamentary labour committee.
Labour Minister Georges Mischo confirmed during and after the session that the draft law aimed at doubling the number of legal Sunday working hours from four to eight will not be withdrawn.
As the topic is being negotiated alongside other issues – such as shop opening hours, the EU minimum wage directive, and pensions – questions arise whether the draft law remains relevant. “That depends on the outcome of the negotiations”, Mischo said. If adjustments are necessary, amendments will follow.
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Minister Mischo explained that details of the potential adaptations and amendments around the extension are “currently being negotiated”, reiterating the government’s commitment to “not discussing them publicly yet”.
Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) MP Georges Engel echoed what the opposition has been saying for days: that 3 September is a long time to wait for clarity during an ongoing social conflict.
Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) parliamentary group leader Marc Spautz also admitted he does not know the specifics but sees room for alternative approaches. “Just to throw something out there, completely off the cuff: professional agreements (accords professionnels),” he suggested.
Still, he emphasised that he does not want to get ahead of the process and will wait for the outcome of the talks.
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On Wednesday, members of parliament appointed CSV MP Charel Weiler as rapporteur for the draft law and began reviewing the Council of State’s opinion, which was notably critical.
The Greens (Déi Gréng) MP Djuna Bernard argued that the bill should have been withdrawn to allow negotiations to begin with a clean slate, a tabula rasa, as she put it. That, she said, would have been the right approach from the outset, especially in light of the State Council’s strong criticism.
MP Marc Baum of The Left (Déi Lénk) echoed that view, stating that the draft “clearly should have been pulled”. He added it was “quite astonishing” that the bill was even on the agenda while negotiations were still ongoing.
MP Marc Spautz, President of the Chamber’s labour committee, acknowledged the timing could be questioned but maintained that it was still worthwhile to thoroughly examine the Council of State’s opinion.
