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Luxembourg presented new measures aimed at promoting a better work-life balance as well as strengthening equal opportunities this week.
On Thursday 19 May 2022, Luxembourg's Minister for Family Affairs and Integration, Corinne Cahen, and the Minister for Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Georges Engel, presented two new bills aimed at introducing concrete measures promoting a better work-life balance.
Minister Engel explained: "The measures presented will ensure a better work-life balance. But these are also measures with a view to strengthening equal opportunities".
He notably presented the improvements envisaged in terms of paternity leave: the government maintains that paternity leave should be taken after the birth of a child, in order to strengthen a parent's bond with their child. As soon as the new law is passed and comes into force, this leave can also be granted to the self-employed.
The same will be true for same-sex couples. However, it should be noted that current Luxembourg legislation only provides for filiation for a same-sex couple in the case of adoption. Minister Engel clarified that the right to paternity leave for same-sex couples in Luxembourg will be reserved for those who are married, for legal reasons.
The Luxembourg State will cover the costs of eight days of paternity leave, for both employees and self-employed workers.
A second bill was also presented with the aim of transposing a European directive on the balance between professional and private life. This bill notably introduces new extraordinary leave periods. "Thus it is planned to introduce an extraordinary day off over a reference period of twelve months for reasons of force majeure linked to urgent family reasons in the event of illness or accident of a family member making it essential to be present immediately of the employee. The reason raised must be certified by a doctor", explained Minister Engel.
In addition, it is proposed to introduce extraordinary carer's leave which can be granted for a maximum of five days over a reference period of twelve months if a family member or a person living in the same household requires personal care or assistance for a serious medical reason certified by a doctor.
The bill also proposes to make minor changes to the provisions relating to parental leave in order to comply with the provisions of the aforementioned directive.
Moreover, the bill provides access to more flexible work arrangements for employees with a minimum seniority of six months and whose children have not yet reached the age of nine.
Ministers Engel and Cahen also clarified that the draft law provides for sanctions in the event that an employee is refused leave by his / her employer. Employees are also protected against dismissal that is directly related to a request for one of the new extraordinary leave periods or flexible working arrangements.
