Three executive orders which were signed in late May will alter relations between the federal government and labour organisations. The two main measures concern an end to union activity during duty hours and to the free use of government property (premises/equipment). The government argues that the public purse should not be used to fund the defence of employees’ rights.

After an initial review of a pilot project offering the Grand Duchy’s civil servants the option of teleworking one day a week, the Ministry of the Civil Service and Administrative Reform has acknowledged that staff have shown little interest and need to be encouraged, in particular, owing to an ever-widening gap with the private sector. The Ministry’s departments have stated that 2/3 of staff are eligible and that incentive training courses will be rolled out in an attempt to improve results.