Minimum wage. During this meeting, OGBL leader Jean-Claude Reding denounced what he considers a bank debt crises rather than a State debt crisis. The union sounded the alarm about the impact austerity plans have on European workers, particularly worried about the fact that low incomes are proliferating in Luxembourg. “We have observed an increase in the number of people who earn minimum wage (SSM), and a great deal of these people remain around the poverty risk” the OGBL’s leader said. The union claims that about 16 percent of employees earn minimum wage. Yet, in Luxembourg, in spite of a high cost of living, it amounts to 35 percent of the average salary (€4,925 in 2010) – as opposed to 50 percent in France. The government promised that it would be increased on January 1, 2013, but the union wants to debate a structural SSM increase. In a context of “wage austerity,” Reding criticized the changes made to the system indexing wages on inflation (see our dispatch No. 110797) as well as pressure on wage bargaining. In addition to the SSM, the OGBL wants family benefits (family allowance, parental leave…) to increase as well.
ed the changes made to the system indexing wages on inflation (see our dispatch No. 110797) as well as pressure on wage bargaining. In addition to the SSM, the OGBL wants family benefits (family allowance, parental leave…) to increase as well.
Joint management and mass layoffs. The union’s national committee adopted an action plan covering the period between September 17 and October 16. Regarding the fight against unemployment, they are planning a “youth employment” action in early October.
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