Luxembourg’s Minister for the Civil Service, Marc Hansen has praised the Government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Hansen (pictured) said this was what the people of Luxembourg were interested in, rather than scandals such as Public Service bullying accusations; Prime Minister Xavier Bettel’s plagiarism affair; and criticism related to deaths in retirement homes.
“All of this is now past us, and it is far more important to note that 75 per cent of the population supports the COVID-19 measures,” he said.
Mr Hansen, who is also Minister for Digitalisation, said that after the pandemic the Grand Duchy was in a “different place” when it came to digitalisation.
“Before 2020, practically no State employees worked from home, a situation which has changed significantly since then,” Mr Hansen said.
“Now Luxembourg is among the best-connected countries and ranks sixth in the European ‘e-government’ index,” he said.
“I will continue to support a strong Civil Service and reject those who use stereotypes to play the public and private sector against each other.
“Is it a bad thing when people switch from the private sector to the State?
“After all, this is one way we can ensure an efficient bureaucracy with access to the very best talent,” the Minister said.
Mr Hansen praised the General Confederation of the Civil Service for its 2021 agreement to waive an increase in salaries because of the pandemic crisis, but said this did not mean he would be handing out “presents” in the next salary agreement prior to the General Election.
Luxembourg City, 23 February 2022
