On 22 February 2017, Luxembourg’s Economic Committee met to analyse the labour market and national economic situation for this month.
Chaired by the Secretary of State for Economy, Francine Closener, the Economic Committee analysed the Grand Duchy’s economic situation in February 2017, finding that the number of applications for partial unemployment increased by 1 unit compared to the previous month.
A total of 12 companies have applied for partial unemployment so as to benefit from the provisions of this measure within the next month. After analysing the files submitted, the Economic Committee decided favourably on eight requests, the final decision on whether or not to grant this support to companies temporarily confronted with a difficult economic situation incumbent on the Governing Council.
In the companies concerned, it is expected that of a total workforce of 1,199 people, 593 employees will work on a reduced schedule. The expenditure chargeable to the Employment Fund for the month of March 2017 is €994,375 in the event that all the undertakings concerned benefit fully from the partial unemployment schemes granted.
The Business Committee issued positive opinions in relation to two applications for exemption from taxation of voluntary dismissal indemnities, relating to the eligibility of 28 persons in the undertakings concerned.
At the end of the meeting of the Economic Committee, Francine Closener commented on applications for partial unemployment in 2016: "Last year, a total of 107 applications were submitted, as opposed to 158 in 2015 or 347 in 2014. In 2016, 98 applications were positively received."
The next meeting of the Economic Committee is scheduled for 29 March 2017.
Photo by MECO. From left to right: Francine Closener, Secretary of State for Economy; Patrick Nickels, Minister for the Economy
