The Union of Luxembourg Enterprises (UEL) is calling on the government to continue talks regarding the reform of working hours, as negotiations currently take place within the Standing Committee on Labour and Employment (CPTE) on making working hours more flexible.
Proposals under discussion include the introduction of a four-day workweek with ten-hour days and expanded options for work breaks.
The UEL’s statement comes in response to recent comments by Minister of Labour Marc Spautz, who suggested that any move towards more flexible working hours should be addressed within the framework of collective agreements.
Such a requirement would place smaller businesses at a disadvantage, according to the Union, since figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC) indicate that small enterprises are much less frequently covered by collective agreements than larger companies.
The UEL has invited Minister Spautz to engage directly with small businesses in order to better understand the practical challenges they face when attempting to negotiate collective agreements.
Ahead of Wednesday’s meeting of the Council of Government, the organisation has reiterated its demand for ongoing talks at the CPTE. The next meeting of the employment committee is scheduled for Friday.
