“Our political priorities have stayed the same. The problems are all still the same,” commented Emile Eicher, president of Syvicol.
The association agrees that the pension system for civil servants and municipal employees needs to be addressed, with significant structural issues requiring urgent attention. Although the number of active civil servants has remained stable, the number of imminent retirees and pensioners has increased. “Our municipalities have had to finance the gap which has been noticeable since around 2011,” Eichner explained. Part of this was paid directly by municipal budgets, the rest came from the endowment fund. In the past, pensions made up 35% of the contribution from gross salaries; now, it stands at 48.29%.
Syvicol also asked to still be represented on the board for the civil servants and municipal staff pension fund.
Municipal funding
Municipal funding must be reviewed in detail, said Eichner. “There are a number of municipalities who have told us they have had difficulties in making large investments.” The committee also wants to review the handling of municipal subsidies, an area in which the cap has not been adapted for years.
The corresponding subsidies should be adjusted to the construction index, among others, and would require pre-financing as interest rates have gone up, according to the syndicate. Subsidies need to be paid out for construction projects. Eichner pointed to the system at the Ministry of Sports, which he would like to see replicated for municipal councils.
Increased security and opportunities
Among the syndicate’s political demands is the adjustment of the statute for people working in municipal politics (Statut de l’élu local). Among other things, this would enable people from the private sector who are engaged in local politics, to be able to return to their previous profession.
Due to the lack of specialised staff in municipal administrations, the syndicate said it wanted to meet with the National Institute of Public Administration (INAP) in order to discuss the possibility of implementing formal training. These discussions should also involve the unions and the government.
