On Thursday 11 June 2026, the OGBL-LCGB trade union alliance, together with their respective women's departments, OGBL Equality and LCGB-Femmes, issued a statement criticising the Luxembourg government for failing to transpose the European Union's Pay Transparency Directive by the 7 June 2026 deadline.
According to the unions, the delay is "unacceptable" and sends a negative political signal from a government that is not taking the fight against pay inequalities between women and men seriously enough, despite the fact that such inequalities continue to exist in Luxembourg.
The OGBL-LCGB argued that the government cannot rely solely on general indicators or Luxembourg's reputation in this area. While some figures may suggest a more favourable situation than in other European countries, the unions stressed that inequalities extend beyond hourly wages and are also reflected in annual earnings, particularly bonuses, working time arrangements, career progression and the resulting impact on pensions.
According to the alliance, the European Pay Transparency Directive represents an important step forward, enabling employees to obtain more information about remuneration, better identify discrimination and strengthen mechanisms for addressing pay inequalities. However, the unions stressed that transparency alone is not sufficient and must lead to concrete corrective measures, effective monitoring mechanisms and meaningful involvement of trade unions and staff representatives.
The OGBL-LCGB said the government's failure to submit transposition legislation on time deprives employees, staff representatives, trade unions and businesses of a clear legal framework. According to the unions, the delay creates uncertainty where determination is needed and wastes valuable time while inequalities continue to persist.
The alliance reiterated that equal pay is not a secondary or symbolic issue, but rather "a matter of social justice, respect for work and dignity". It also argued that equal pay is essential for improving job quality, strengthening women’s economic independence and combating economic insecurity.
According to the unions, Luxembourg's transposition of the directive should go beyond the minimum European requirements. The OGBL-LCGB called for an ambitious, effective and binding framework, while emphasising the central role of collective agreements. The alliance argued that where collective bargaining is strong, pay structures are more transparent, career paths are clearer and employees are better protected against discrimination, whereas inequalities tend to persist or worsen where collective agreements are weak or absent.
The unions added that transposition of the directive should go hand in hand with the development of an action plan to increase collective bargaining coverage in Luxembourg, describing this as another area in which the country has fallen behind.
The OGBL-LCGB called on the government to present an ambitious draft law without delay, developed in close consultation with social partners, and to ensure that pay transparency becomes a genuine tool in the fight against discrimination.
"The time for equal pay cannot wait," the alliance stated, arguing that the Luxembourg government has missed the European deadline and must now assume its responsibilities and act immediately to address the situation.
