Luxembourg Government Opens Bilateral Talks on Working Hours Amid Union Concerns Over Flexibility

With tripartite labour discussions currently suspended, the government is set to begin bilateral negotiations with trade unions on Tuesday to address growing tensions surrounding the future of working time regulations.

The first in a series of talks will take place at the Ministry of Labour, focusing on how working hours, rest breaks, holidays, and overtime should be organised in the years ahead.

Tripartite Dialogue on Hold
Traditionally, these matters fall under the Standing Committee on Labour and Employment (CPTE) — a tripartite forum bringing together the government, employers, and unions. However, this dialogue has been disrupted since the most recent tripartite social meetings, after the major unions OGBL and LCGB announced they would boycott CPTE sessions.

In mid-September, the unions jointly declared that they would no longer participate in what they described as an “empty chair policy”, arguing that their concerns were being ignored and their role marginalised.

In response, the government opted to restructure the negotiation format, launching direct bilateral talks with each social partner — unions and employers — to keep discussions on labour reforms moving forward.

Core Issue: Flexibility vs. Worker Protection
At the heart of the debate lies a familiar but contentious question — how flexible should working hours be?

Union representatives have voiced fears that employer groups are seeking greater flexibility and longer maximum working hours, potentially undermining work-life balance and employee protections.
Meanwhile, the government insists that modernising working time rules is necessary to adapt to changing labour market realities, including remote work, digitalisation, and sector-specific demands.

Tuesday’s meeting marks the first round of bilateral negotiations, with further sessions expected in the coming weeks. Whether the talks will rebuild trust between the government and unions — or deepen existing divisions — remains to be seen.

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