Labour Minister Marc Spautz plans to introduce a new form of part-time parental leave in 2027, allowing eligible parents to reduce their working week by up to four hours.
However, on Friday, the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) criticised the proposal as a "step backwards", arguing that shorter working hours for family reasons should not come at the cost of lower pay. A reduction in working hours should not mean that employees give up part of their salary, that would be a work-life balance only for those who could afford it, writes party co-president Maxime Miltgen.
Miltgen highlighted that a disproportionate number of employees who reduce their working hours due to family reasons are women. Parliamentary group leader Taina Bofferding also criticised the fact that the changes in working hours would hinge on the employer's agreement with the policy.
CSV labour minister Marc Spautz announced the plans to introduce the bill in October, with a view to launching the policy in 2027. This would enable parents of children under the age of 13 to reduce their working hours by 10%, or up to four hours a week of unpaid leave. The policy was first announced in the government's coalition agreement in 2023.
However, the new measure will not be a right, but dependent on the willingness of businesses to comply. It will be discussed with trade unions and employer representatives on the Standing Committee on Labour and Employment (CPTE) in the autumn.
