The Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) and the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) have reiterated their position on the minimum wage in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Luc Frieden.
The letter arrived in time for the Government Council meeting on Friday morning. In it, the joint OGBL-LCGB union front stresses that the social climate has further deteriorated in recent days.
The unions are calling on the government to implement a structural increase to the minimum wage in order to counter the phenomenon of the working poor and ensure that people in employment can lead a decent life from their wages. According to the unions, the discussion extends far beyond the debate over calculation methods. They argue that the choice now lies between trivialising work or valuing social cohesion.
For this reason, the union front is calling on the government to be mindful of this when it debates the adjustment of the minimum wage on Friday morning and to assume its responsibilities accordingly.
The letter makes no mention of industrial action or other threats and is written in a somewhat calmer tone than previous correspondence.
It is unlikely that the government will take a decision on the amount of the minimum wage increase on Friday morning. Earlier this week, Minister of Labour Marc Spautz indicated that he intended to take more time before reaching a political decision.
