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Federation of Craftsmen calls for

The Federation of Craftsmen has launched a campaign with the slogan, "Broad shoulders – same obligations – same rights", in which they call for better social protection for Luxembourg’s self-employed. The organisation points out that the pandemic starkly revealed just how poorly self-employed people are secured in times of crisis. Businesses were forced to suspend activities, yet those affected could not fall back on the same social safety nets as employees, Vice President Alexa Ballmann told RTL. Ballmann also wants to change public perceptions of the self-employed. The cliché of the wealthy boss with a luxury car does not reflect the reality for most small businesses, she says, emphasising that 99% of companies in Luxembourg are small and medium-sized enterprises.

A key issue for many self-employed workers is the financial weight of mandatory social contributions, Ballmann explains. The federation is not seeking extra privileges or state funding for the employer’s share of contributions. Rather, it proposes that businesses cover the employer’s portion for self-employed workers, as is already the case for salaried staff, while self-employed individuals would continue to pay their personal share. The goal, Ballmann notes, is to achieve equal treatment and rights for all working people, not special advantages for the self-employed.

Despite repeated promises from the government since taking office in 2023 and a broad consensus that reform is needed, little progress has been made. The lack of concrete results nearly six years after the initial discussions has left many self-employed workers feeling overlooked by policymakers. Ballmann says this ongoing delay is demotivating and sends the message that the concerns of the self-employed are not being taken seriously. In response, the Federation of Craftsmen is calling for concrete legislative proposals by the end of 2026, that should be implemented by 2027. Since several ministries are involved, a comprehensive reform package is required. Ballmann also reminds policymakers that these reforms are included in the coalition agreement.

Also today

• Meteorologists have detected an exceptionally early disturbance in the polar vortex, which raises questions about potential impacts on the upcoming winter in Europe.
• A driver who was over the legal limit crashed into a prisoner transport vehicle on th N6 on Sunday morning.
• British comedian and TV star Russell Brand has been jailed for more than 10 years for a string of sex offences including rape.
• Three French policemen have today gone on trial over the beating of a black music producer they said was not wearing a face mask during the Covid pandemic.
• A Polish man accused of carrying out a deadly shooting spree in Krakow has today died in hospital.
  

On air

Christmas seems to have started already here at RTL Towers and there's even rumours that one of the DJs has put a tree up!! Too early? Or the earlier the better?

Figure of the day

Luxembourg ranks fourth among Europe's most generous pension systems

• Retirees across Europe face significant variations in pension income. On average, a French pensioner receives close to €1,500 per month, a Bulgarian about €550, and a Luxembourg pensioner more than €2,600, rising considerably for those whose entire career was spent in Luxembourg.
• However, these numbers do not paint the full picture. What truly matters to most workers is not simply the absolute amount, but how much of their previous income they will keep once they retire – that is, whether they can maintain their purchasing power.

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