Paul Gries, the new president of the Luxembourg Consumer Protection Association (ULC), discussed evolving challenges in consumer advocacy during a Tuesday morning interview with RTL Radio.
Gries observed that pandemic-driven digitalisation has disproportionately affected elderly members struggling to adapt, while younger consumers increasingly turn to online resources, including AI, rather than traditional services. Despite this shift, he noted many young people ultimately seek ULC assistance for expert consultations. Membership has declined from 43,000 to 40,300 in recent years, reflecting these demographic challenges.
Current ULC membership spans from 19 to over 100 years old, with a pronounced age imbalance:
Gries attributed this skew to broader societal trends and outlined outreach efforts like recent tram advertisements in Luxembourg City. He emphasised growing fraud risks, noting victims often avoid reporting small-scale scams due to embarrassment. “We believe there is a high number of unreported cases,” Gries stated, underscoring the ULC’s focus on preventive education to address issues before they escalate legally.
A 2020 internal review conducted jointly by the ULC and the Ministry for Consumer Protection identified key areas for improvement through staff consultations. The study concluded the association required greater public visibility and enhanced member engagement. In response, the ULC implemented, among other things, a new member filing system. Gries stressed that communication, through “information, guidance, and protection,” is key.
Gries secured the ULC presidency during last week’s General Assembly, defeating former Consumer Protection Minister Paulette Lenert in a decision made by the administrative board. He speculated the association’s political neutrality could have been compromised by electing Lenert, currently serving as an MP for the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP).
While endorsing the OGBL-LCGB joint demonstration scheduled for 28 June, the ULC will not participate under its own banners to maintain political neutrality. Gries expressed disappointment over the lack of union unity, referencing the separate protest by the General Confederation of the Civil Service (CGFP) and railway worker union Syprolux planned for 25 June at the Chamber of Deputies.
