Deployment of Telework in European Public Administrations

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Luxembourg
Tele-services and call centres have emerged during the last years, but so far the awareness of
telework as a variety of organisational concepts for work is low, and there is no concrete and
declared telework policy in place. In general, it is feared that Europe's banking and insurance
sector will reduce jobs heavily in the near future. Due to the importance of this sector in
Luxembourg telework is a hot issue in the relationship of the social partners. A main concern of
the unions is export of work. It is more the domestic European competition of low wage work
which is feared than the loss of services to Asia. The UK, Ireland, and the new applicants for
membership in the EU from the CEEC countries are regarded as potential major competitors.
Eight national monitoring boards comprising representatives of relevant social interests are
established to deal with matters of labour law and flexible work.
According to a recent survey
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telework is most widespread among providers of information and
services for companies (‘Activités informatiques et activités de service fournis aux entreprises’).
CEPS/INSTEAD, a domestic institute for socio-economic research, participates in a pilot project
financed by the European Social Fund that explores the possibilities for a development of
telework in five European regions. In the context of this project CEPS/INSTEAD offers
qualification measures for potential teleworkers (targeting new technologies of networking and
communication as well as individual management of work) and provides facilities for firms to
gain experience in teleworking. P&T Luxembourg, the Post and Telecommunications office, has
launched a telework trial within its own organisation.
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