Reprimand against ITM representative for “serious negligence”

(CS) A representative of the Luxembourg Labour and Mines Inspectorate (ITM) was reprimanded after being accused of giving advice to managers on how to bypass staff delegates at a business event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg.

Reportedly, the man gave legal advice on how to keep information from staff delegates or how to be able to fire delegates, even when they are under special protection by the law.

The comments were allegedly made during an AMCHAM event on staff delegations and their rights and responsibilities, following the social elections.

During an inquiry launched by the Labour Ministry, the ITM representative denied the accusation of deliberately seeking to undermine staff delegations, but explained that he presented the current legal situation to attendees.

In answer to a parliamentary question, Labour Minister Nicolas Schmit said, however, that the objectivity and impartiality of the ITM appears to have been disrespected. Speaking on a complex topic, the civil servant should have objectively presented the laws and how they are applied, Schmit said, speculating that the ITM representative's personal touch caused the confusion and left room for ambiguous interpretation.

Additionally, the inquiry found that the ITM representative was speaking at the event without having sought the authorisation of his superior.

Because of “serious negligence” on his part, the civil servant received a “Rappel à l'Ordre” by his director.