L-R: Roberto Fornieri, LCGB; Christophe Knebeler, LCGB; Georges Engel, Minister of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy; Lita Borges, LCGB; Patrick Dury, LCGB; Francis Lomel, LCGB; Credit: MTEESS

On Monday 21 February 2022, Luxembourg's Minister of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Georges Engel, met with a delegation from the LCGB trade union for a first exchange of views on current issues and political priorities for the coming months.

During this meeting, Minister Engel emphasised that the strengthening of continuing education is "one of his absolute priorities", not only in relation to digitalisation, but in general. He also stressed the need for a series of specific legislative adaptations to ensure a human framework for digitalisation. The new teleworking regulations and the bill aimed at introducing the right to disconnect in the Labour Code were a first step in this direction.

Moreover, Minister Engel warned that work through economic platforms should not lead to a proliferation of "false" self-employed workers. According to the minister, this means that the law must regulate these new forms of work. He also said he was in favour of discussions with the social partners about initiatives aimed at reducing the working time of employees.

The priorities of the LCGB include in particular the fight against inequalities and safeguarding the livelihoods of employees. The union thus recalled its demands concerning the abolition of the limit of 78 working weeks, the creation of structures for managing overstaffing as well as a series of adjustments to the level of unemployment and partial unemployment. With regard to digitalisation, the union deemed it particularly necessary to ensure the social protection of employees whose work is carried out through electronic platforms. According to the union, the COVID-19 pandemic has also demonstrated the usefulness and necessity of job retention plans, a tool it believes needs to be further developed.

Finally, Minister Engel and the LCGB representatives agreed on the importance of social dialogue. The agreements that have been reached throughout the health crisis are concrete proof of this.