Minister of Labour Georges Mischo has reaffirmed his commitment to social dialogue in Luxembourg and the right of trade unions to negotiate collective agreements.
This statement comes in the wake of a dispute with the unions, which arose when Mischo hesitated to make such a commitment during a meeting with social partners last week.
During a Q&A session in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday, Mischo clarified his position, emphasising that he had consistently stated that he would not strip unions of their exclusive rights in this context. He reiterated this stance in the Chamber of Deputies and mentioned that he had extended an invitation for a bilateral meeting with the trade unions at the ministry last week.
Despite the minister’s assurances, the position of the government’s parties regarding the unions’ exclusive right to negotiate collective agreements–as outlined in current law–remains unclear.
MP Djuna Bernard of the Green Party (Déi Gréng) introduced a motion urging the government to uphold the unions’ exclusive role in collective bargaining.
Initially, the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) expressed support for the motion. However, after the Democratic Party (DP) said they would only support it if the term “exclusive” was removed from the motion, it was ultimately rejected by both majority parties. The MPs of the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) abstained from the vote.
Collective bargaining in Luxembourg: Tensions rise as trade unions exit meeting with labour minister
Collective agreements: Luxembourg unions formulate joint action plan against labour minister’s proposal
Collective agreement negotiations: Minister of Labour hopes to “resume social dialogue”
