Ahead of the state of the nation address , the various employers' federations have drawn up a list of their demands. Some of them are similar, others are more specific to different sectors.
Self-employed and labour
Those in the craft industry hope to hear Xavier Bettel (DP) announce an improvement in the status of the self-employed. "The government must ensure equal treatment of the self-employed and employees with regard to wage replacement, social security and labour law," explains Ernest Pirsch, president of the craftsmen's federation (FDA).
The most pressing problem, however, is the lack of manpower. There is therefore a strong demand to "invest in vocational training" and to "avoid every additional burden, such as the plan to introduce five days of compulsory training leave per year per employee.”
Michel Reckinger, president of the Union des Entreprises Luxembourgeoises (UEL) making efforts to prevent the state and municipalities from poaching qualified employees from craft businesses, through salariesdeemed too attractive.
The government has set climate targets. We are waiting for it to explain in concrete terms the measures that must be taken to achieve them.
When it comes to housing, taxation has to be one of the means implemented to mobilise land, according to Ernest Pirsch. This would also be supplemented by "significantly simplifying the authorisation procedures" for construction.
The profitability of companies is another issue to be expected. "They have to deal with the aftermath of the pandemic and invest in their infrastructures, energy and digitalisation," said Pirsch. He suggests "starting with an in-depth analysis of the phenomenon,” before considering tax incentives for investments in green and digital technologies. He also hopes for a precise roadmap on climate change.
The hope of fiscal measures
Both the industry and the crafts sector agree on this point. René Winkin, director of the Fedil, would like to see "the announcement of two tax measures targeted at decarbonisation and digitalisation.” Such as "a super deduction when investing in these areas.”
He added that "the government has set climate objectives. We are waiting for it to explain in concrete terms the measures that need to be taken to achieve them.” His federation has drawn up a list of nine proposals on the subject.
He wants "the government to realise that the administrative regulatory straitjacket on business is beyond manageable" and that it should propose an "action plan to alleviate it". There is no specific measure that is more difficult to implement than others, but it is an accumulation of small things, according to Winkin. He cites for example the rules on data protection and the need to know the origin of products from all suppliers.
We are waiting for results from the government in its negotiations with neighbouring countries.
Winkin also would like to see "measures to allow a gradual return to normalcy in companies", such as a CovidCheck scheme. "We cannot continue to work as we did in March 2020 and ask 80% of employees to wear a mask, respect distances or work from home when we have the vaccination and tests.”
Waste and social security
Luxembourg’s trade confederation (CLC) is still concerned about the draft laws on waste. Its director, Nicolas Henckes, believes that they do not reflect the situation realistically. "Perhaps the prime minister could announce that these texts will be reviewed," he says.
The question of social security for driving cross-border workers also remains unresolved. They must join the social security system of their country of residence when they spend more than 25% of their working time there. And this is quickly becoming the case for French, Belgian and German cross-border workers in a country the size of Luxembourg. "We expect results from the government in its negotiations with neighbouring countries.
This article in Paperjam. It has been translated and edited for Delano.