The Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) and the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) have criticised the new contractual requirements for the General Road Transport System (RGTR) network.
Compared with the previous requirements, the new ones lack important elements in favour of the approximately 4,000 employees affected, stressed LCGB secretary Paul Gouchitski.
Speaking to RTL, Gouchitski explained that the first point concerned compliance with the collective agreement for any tenderer, and the second point related to the transfer of undertakings – specifically, the retention of staff in the event of a loss of contracts or routes. Additionally, Gouchitski noted that regarding the language proficiency requirements for any driver wishing to work in Luxembourg, the new requirements now list the country's three official languages – Luxembourgish, German, and French – "or English". He argued that if English alone were considered sufficient to work in Luxembourg, and with the removal of the other two points, the ministry has effectively opened the door to unfair competition and social dumping.
The trade unions met with Mobility Minister Yuriko Backes on Friday at 8am. A copy of their letter was also sent to Prime Minister Luc Frieden.
