User:Dr Gangrene/Luxembourg civil service

Legal basis
The Law of 1 April 1979 specifies the general functions of public employees, the role of public servants, and the protection of civil servants. Employment relations for state employees are described in the Law of 27 January 1972. In 1989, this law was amended to introduce a trial period before recruitment.

The status of state civil servants is regulated by the Laws of 16 April 1979 and 22 June 1963.

The Minister for Public Service and Administrative Reform sets general policy for personnel and management of all state employees.

The status of local government employees is regulated by the Law of 24 December 1985.

Number and categories
In 2009 there were a total of 16,076 civil servants.
 * General Administration: 5,405 civil servants
 * Justice Administration: 462
 * Police: 2,041.
 * Education: 7,884.
 * Religion: 283.

Senior civil service and politics
Officially, there are no political civil servants, personal advisers, or ministerial cabinets in the Luxembourg government. However, high-level civil servants are closely connected to politics: they enjoy a high degree of power and influence, and often remain in post for more than one legislative period. Some civil servants are close to one or another political party; several are close confidants of their minister.

In 2013 the Greens included plans in their manifesto to make a clear distinction between non-political civil servants, who solely administer or execute policy, and political advisers. Specifically they wanted to allow ministers to appoint up to 3 personal advisers. These would be political appointees of the government, and during the tenure of their minister would be exempt from their original occupation; at the end of their minister's term in office, they would likewise leave the ministry. This would represent a ministerial "cabinet" as in neighbouring countries, and would be responsible for helping their minister realise their political goals.

The 1999 coalition agreement of the incoming CSV-DP government contained plans to make it easier to relieve civil servants of their posts prematurely, in order to render them more accountable. Due to opposition from the Council of State and the civil servants' chamber, this plan was shelved however. Despite this, in December 2005 a law came into force limiting future senior civil servants' appointments to a period of 7 years. This period was deliberately longer than the usual government mandate of 5 years. In case their appointment in that post was not renewed, the individuals would still remain in the civil service, but elsewhere. The Greens' parliamentary group criticised the reform for missing the opportunity to introduce ministerial cabinets, and make a clear-cut distinction between administration and politics.

Career progression and pay
From January 2015 a new scheme for career advancement and remuneration was put in place, that had been agreed in April 2012. Amongst other changes, the probationary period for prospective civil servants was reformed. For the first 2 years of probation, candidates receive 80% of their future salary; in the 3rd year, they receive 90%.