The CGFP, a labour union for civil servants, would like to see priority vaccination given to those professional groups which are "exposed to an increased risk, which the government still refuses, according to its Monday statement.

“Since last week, young people aged 30 to 54 have been able to voluntarily register for vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Subsequently, prime minister Bettel declared that the discussion on the prioritisation of professional groups was now obsolete, it added.

Vaccinated prison staff

“This change of direction is of course questionable, both legally and ethically. CGFP was informed... that the ministers responsible for education and the police had recommended prioritising immunisation. However, they did not find a hearing in the council of ministers. Obviously, there are differences of opinion within the coalition on this."

While the CGFP welcomed the vaccination of prison staff, for which it has been pushing, it considered that "declaring the end of the discussion on the people to be vaccinated as a priority is an affront to all these officials who, in sometimes difficult conditions, put their health at risk every day. Not so long ago, the unprecedented commitment of civil servants to tackling the crisis (was praised). Today, the government refuses to give frontline officials faster access..."

New meeting on 3 May

The CGFP will once again be able to express its demands to prime minister Bettel (DP), health minister Paulette Lenert (LSAP) and minster of public service Marc Hansen (DP) during a meeting to take place on 3 May.

This article was originally published in French on Paperjam and has been translated and edited for Delano.