Following on from the requests made by the OGBL on 1 May, the LSAP reaffirmed its commitment to reducing working hours. This reduction would involve securing a sixth week of paid leave—a sixth week that already exists in the civil service—and introducing a 38-hour working week. A demand justified by its president, Georges Engel, on the grounds that work should not be viewed solely from an economic perspective, but also in terms of social cohesion and quality of life. With this in mind, the party is calling for a clear framework for remote working and a right to disconnect. It also wants regulations governing platform work, temporary agency work and seasonal employment.

An extra €200 for the minimum social wage

However, as the economic aspect should not be overlooked, the Socialists are calling for a €200 increase in the minimum social wage (SSM) to be implemented in two stages, to give businesses time to adapt. This increase is lower than the €300 rise demanded by the united trade union front. The LSAP also believes that the SSM should be adjusted annually in line with general wage trends, rather than just every two years, as is currently the case. Annual adjustment is already the norm for pensions.

The robot tax is back

In light of advances in digitalisation and artificial intelligence, the Socialists are also calling for a tax on robotic labour. As a reminder, the “robot tax” was proposed in 2017 by the Luxembourg MEP, Mady Delvaux. A proposal that was rejected at the time by MEPs. The Socialists are finally calling for higher capital taxes and higher taxes on profits.