In September 2002, the forthcoming establishment of a training institute for the Luxembourg building industry was announced. The creation of the new body was provided for by a collective agreement signed in 2000. The institute, which will offer skills training at four levels, will be funded by a
A multidisciplinary unit is to be set up in Luxembourg during 2003 to help people suffering from work-related stress. This is the outcome of a partnership between the OGB-L trade union confederation and the Luxembourg Mental Health League, with support from the Ministers of Labour and Health.
In July 2002, a new two-year collective agreement for the Luxembourg banking sector was signed, but by only one of the industry's three representative trade unions, ALEBA. It takes account of a proposal from the chair of the National Conciliation Office, made after initial talks broke down.
A new collective agreement signed in June 2002 in Luxembourg's private bus transport sector provides that drivers will receive at least seven hours' pay for an 11-hour daily period of availability to work. Previously, they were paid only for hours actually worked.
This feature examines social partner involvement in Luxembourg's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire.
In spring 2002, Luxembourg's OGB-L trade union confederation called for a round table meeting on the country's merchant shipping register and flag, with a view to establishing social and other standards designed to ensure that it no longer acts as a 'flag of convenience'.
In March 2002, the Luxembourg government and the CGFP trade union confederation signed a three-year agreement for around 40,000 public sector workers, providing for an annual pay rise of 1.6% .
Luxembourg has been governed since August 1999 by a coalition government composed of the Social Christian Party (Chrëschtlech Sozial Vollekspartei, CSV) and the Democratic Party (Demokratesch Partei, DP). There were no elections in 2001.
Official figures from Luxembourg's STATEC statistical service, issued in February 2002, indicate that the pay gap between men and women is narrowing fast.