While supporting the general thrust of LSAP labour minister Dan Kersch’s recent announcement that short-time working and financial compensation measures will be phased out from July, the federation said this should only happen after the health situation has stabilised in a sustainable fashion. It also called for a boost to the provision of self-testing kits and a fast ramp-up of vaccinations.

Over the longer term, they suggested this moment is a time for the government to consider how it can help smaller businesses drive the economic recovery. “The government should evaluate critically current and planned initiatives about whether they serve or harm the economic recovery and the preservation of jobs,” said a communiqué.

They cited a long-standing bugbear, of the state’s higher salaries giving them the pick of the most qualified staff. They also highlighted a detailed set of measures such as reform of taxation for vehicle leasing and a change to Sunday working laws.