The pay deal struck between the government and the CGFP civil servants’ union at the end of January has again raised questions about the advantageous working conditions enjoyed by Luxembourg’s public sector employees, as well as the efficiency of the state apparatus.
Both civil service minister Serge Wilmes and the CGFP’s president Romain Wolff and general secretary Steve Heiliger during a joint press conference on 29 January were at pains to say that they thought the 27-point deal – which includes a 2.5% pay rise over two years – was “reasonable” and “fair”.
But some critics of the agreement, particularly in the private sector, were not so enthusiastic.
‘Trump bump’ a boost for cryptocurrencies, also in Luxembourg
US President Donald Trump’s crypto-friendly promise is a bumper for digital asset markets, with interest in investing in crypto rising also in Luxembourg, both for private and institutional clients.
The total market capitalisation of cryptocurrencies has almost doubled between the beginning of 2024 and the start of 2025. The combined market cap of all cryptocurrencies now exceeds $3.5 trillion, surpassing the market cap of the world’s most valuable companies like Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia.
The price of Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency, surged past $100,000 for the first time in its history. After a sharp decline in 2021 and 2022, Bitcoin has seen a remarkable resurgence over the past two years, emerging as a viable investment alternative.
Seized cocaine worth up to €160 million
The authorities announced on Wednesday that cocaine seized in a spectacular find last week is estimated at up to €160 million.
The market value of the seized cocaine is estimated to be between €80 and €160 million “depending on the negotiated selling price per kilogram or the resale price on the street,” a police statement said.
The total weight of seized cocaine was 889 kilograms.
SES to cut jobs in Luxembourg but add others as company evolves, CEO says
There will be job cuts at Luxembourg’s satellite giant no matter whether or not SES successfully combines with rival Intelsat, the Grand Duchy company’s top executive said on Thursday, but there also will be new jobs added as the company evolves.
“The only thing I can commit for the employees of SES is there’s a great future here. There’s an opportunity to grow. We’re talking about a fraction of people-changes,” CEO Adel Al-Saleh said during a 90-minute meeting with journalists from Luxembourg media.
There will continue to be about 600 staff, plus hundreds more contract workers to serve food and secure the Betzdorf headquarters of the company that is only growing in strategic importance for Europe as the world’s hostilities boil, he said.
EU citizens told to leave Luxembourg for being on benefits
Immigrants from other EU countries who are considered an “unreasonable burden” for the Luxembourg state can be forced to leave the country. The measure applies to people who have lived in Luxembourg for less than five years and is provided for under the 2008 immigration law, based on a European Union directive.
Many people are unaware the EU’s principle of freedom of movement and domicile has certain limits. Some people only find out after receiving an expulsion letter from Luxembourg’s Directorate-General for Immigration for being an unreasonable burden on the country.
“Nowadays, we receive requests for help once or twice a month from immigrants who have received the expulsion letter,” said Laurence Hever of the foreign workers’ rights association Asti. ”There was a time when it was much more frequent, but we may see an increase in this type of situation again,” she told Contacto.