One election year hides another, and 2024 is also going to be a big one for Luxembourg: the European elections in June will be preceded by the social elections in March 2024.

The social elections, which take place every 5 years, are actually two elections. On the one hand, employees in companies with more than 15 people elect their staff delegation. Secondly, employees, apprentices and retirees elect their representatives to the Chamber of Employees (Chambre des Salariés, CSL).

The social elections to the CSL are probably the most democratic elections in the country, as they bring together more than 600,000 members (residents and non-residents) who are called upon to vote by mail to elect their representatives to defend their interests and rights.

For women in Luxembourg, voting in social elections is one of the most effective ways to make their voices heard and contribute to building a more inclusive society. The CSL defends social rights such as wage indexation, family allowances, the social minimum wage, parental leave allowances, pensions, etc., which have a major financial impact on the condition of working women, whether in terms of the fight against precariousness or in terms of gender equality, particularly in the sharing of domestic tasks.

Indeed, voting in social elections is a way of defending women’s acquired rights, which have been hard-won over the decades but remain vulnerable. By voting for unions that are committed to preserving and expanding women’s acquired rights, for example, women can ensure an egalitarian society for future generations.

Furthermore, women remain under-represented in staff delegations (about one-quarter women and three-quarters men) and in most committees and the CSL plenary assembly. At the last CSL elections, Nora Back was elected CSL President. She is the first woman to be elected president of a professional chamber in Luxembourg.

For all these reasons and many more, every woman’s vote counts, because women play a key role in building a world where gender equality is the norm rather than the exception.

To find out more about the social elections and how to vote, go to: www.elsoc.lu