The in June 2023 marked the start of an electoral season that continued with the on 8 October 2023 and will end on 9 June 2024 with the European elections.

Between now and June, however, another important vote will take place: the social elections on 12 March. On this day voters will determine the staff delegations in companies with 15 or more employees, and also choose Chamber of Employees (CSL) members. There are 60 seats in this assembly, same as the Chamber of Deputies.

All employees, apprentices, pensioners and jobseekers, regardless of their nationality or place of residence, are automatically members of the CSL. This represents a theoretical electorate of over 600,000 people, more than double the electorate eligible to elect MPs (286,739 registered voters).

What is the CSL, exactly? Its powers are not well understood. In popular imagination, it’s first and foremost a forum for the continuing education of employees. But it’s more than that: it’s an important body in political life, well endowed with both human and financial resources, and involved in the legislative process through the opinions it issues.

This is a unique feature of Luxembourg: whenever a draft law or grand-ducal regulation affects a professional sector whose interests are defended by one of the country’s five professional chambers--the Chamber of Employees alongside the Chambers of Commerce, Crafts, Agriculture and Civil Servants--the chambers concerned must issue an opinion. These opinions are then carefully analysed--and often taken up in whole or part--by the relevant ministry or parliament. The CSL can also make proposals directly to the government on matters that fall within its remit.

A little-known tool for political participation

Despite movements to get non-Luxembourgers better represented in (and by) the Chamber of Deputies, no concrete actions have been taken on that front. In contrast, voting for Chamber of Employees members is a powerful way for non-nationals and non-residents to participate in Luxembourg government and public life. Still, in 2019, only 32.6% of employees took part in the election. The turnout of cross-border commuters has historically been much lower than for residents, but both groups remain largely unmobilised.

In an interview with Delano’s sister publication Paperjam in December, prime minister  (CSV) expressed regret that, while non-residents and non-nationals “are very present in companies, they are much less present in the representative bodies of employers’ organisations, which are still largely run by Luxembourgers.”

“I want to meet them,” he added. “I said that I would also be the prime minister of the non-Luxembourgers… they contribute to the economic and social development of our country, and I am very grateful to them for that. But that gratitude is not enough, so I want to hear them.” From this point of view, the professional chambers are good common ground. Frieden added: “47% of our working population is made up of cross-border commuters, and almost half of our residents are foreigners. This is a particularity that needs to be taken into account in political action, even more so than in the past. Involving them more in public affairs is a huge challenge. I would look for every way to involve them more and I am open to any good suggestion.”

The voting

Returning to the election on 12 March, the CSL assembly is currently dominated by the OGBL, which has 35 representatives--or 37 since the union absorbed the FNCTTFEL, the railway workers’ union, which won two representatives in the 2019 elections. Next come LCBG (18 mandates), Aleba (4) and Syprolux (1).

This year, nine trade unions are in the running. In order of list number: LCGB (1), OGBL (2), Aleba (3), FGFC (4), Syprolux (5), SEA (aviation sector) (6), NGL-SNEP (7), CLSC (Christian trade unions) (8) and Neutrale Verband Gemeng Lëtzebuerg (9).

Between January and February--and by 26 February at the latest--voters will receive by post the ballot papers corresponding to their socio-professional category. There are nine categories: steel (5 seats), other industry (8), construction (6), financial services and intermediation (8), other services (14), administration and public enterprises (4), health and social work (6), active and retired CFL staff (3) and retirees (6). The trade unions active in these sectors will put forward candidates.

Voters may vote for one list or divide their votes between different candidates. Votes are cast by post, and you will have until 12 March, the day of the count, to return your ballot to the designated address.

8,857 employee delegates

Regarding staff delegations, the vote takes place in-person on 12 March. It is organised by the companies according to a very precise timetable. Turnout is traditionally poor for the CSL elections, but voting for staff delegates is more popular: in 2019, according to figures from the Labour and Mines Inspectorate (ITM), 3,359 companies had set up staff delegations and 8,857 delegates were appointed. Of these, 58.65% had no political affiliation.

It is only compulsory to set up a staff delegation once the number of employees exceeds a certain threshold calculated over a reference period: at least 15 employees over 12 months. In this case, from 1 February 2023 to 31 January 2024.

In companies with fewer than 100 employees, voting is by relative majority. In undertakings with at least 100 employees, the ballot is conducted according to the rules of proportional representation.

To be eligible to vote, you must be an employee of the company, be at least 16 and have worked in the company for at least six months on the day of the election.

To be eligible to run, you must be an employee of the company, be at least 18, have worked continuously for 12 months prior to the first day of the month in which the elections are posted, and be either a Luxembourg national or authorised to work in Luxembourg. Parents and relatives--up to the fourth degree of kinship--of the company director, managers, directors and the person in charge of the company’s personnel department are not eligible.

This article was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.