CGFP President regrets “Schein debate” for pension reform

« We received a clear order from the voter. » With these words, the President of the CGFP, Romain Wolff, was pleased with the « word » that his union received 23 out of 24 seats in the social elections in the professional chamber. However, this did not stop him from hit critical tones at a press conference on Friday. Here he mainly commented on the possible pension reform and the planned tax reform of the government.

« Moien and äddi, in terms of content, the social security minister has not expressed anything. » The President of the CGFP Regarded that Martine Deprez (CSV) had not made any government requirements for the compensation fund.

However, he welcomed that the CGFP received details about this fund. This is not enough for the union. “We are just as smart as at the beginning of the Campaign ‘Schwätz Mat’ « According to Romain Wolff, who speaks of an unworthy « sham debate » about the participatory process on the pension debate.

Wolff recalled that in 2023 there was no pension reform in the parties’ election programs. That was dishonest towards the voters, he says. Wolff also warned against splitting society in the retirement debate. Unfortunately, this has already happened, said Wolff. He also described the 2,000 answers from the online platform « Schwätz Mat » as « not representative ».

The unionist clearly emphasized that this fund should not be used for new armor expenditure. In conversation with the « word », the finance minister Gilles Roth (CSV) assured the CSV party congressthat these new expenses would not be at the expense of social policy.

Participate in the development of the tax reform

With regard to the possible pension reform, the CGFP emphasized that an increase in retirement age beyond 65 years was not an issue for the civil servant union. The first pillar should be reinforced. « Since Thursday we have known that the government has planned to put its suggestions on the table next autumn. I cannot believe that the government does not yet know what it wants to implement. »

Wolff asked to tax capital more and to introduce a robot tax. A building society contract can be concluded up to the age of 40. Due to the difficult situation of receiving a loan and because young people later enter their professional life, this age limit should be abolished, according to the CGFP.

The CGFP also plans to write a letter to the finance minister next week in order to be involved in the development of a tax reform. At the beginning of July, the government plans to present its guidelines for this reform. In the context, the CGFP requires an automatic adjustment of the control table to inflation.

Criticism of two projects in the health sector

The CGFP is critical of the government’s project to introduce a national purchasing and logistics center. Wolff criticizes that the chamber of civil servants was not consulted in this matter. « So much for the government’s social dialogue, » said the union. The CGFP calls for a meeting with Minister Deprez to discuss this.

« It should remain an administration here and not become a public institution with a private status, » warns Wolff. For him, these employees should continue to be able to work as civil servants. « In addition, this is about missions in the field of public health, and this is reserved for the state according to Article 41 of the constitution. It is also unconstitutional. This also seems to be interested in nobody in these areas, » regrets the President of the CGFP.

The ministry replied to a « word » request on this topic: « The Ministry and the Health Directorate are currently working on various adjustments to the draft law of June 14th. » The CGFP is also critical of the project of a national drug authority. « At least we were consulted here, » said Wolff.

On June 28th, OGBL and LCGB have a working front To form to defend democracy and social justice. The CGFP still wants to discuss internally about whether it will join this demonstration, says Romain Wolff.