Friday 5 August 2011

Vote!

Having lived in Luxembourg for a minimum of 5 years, you're entitled to vote in the local elections. So do it! Let your voice be heard!

We foreigners make up half the country and 2/3 of the City of Luxembourg and we have contributed and are contributing significantly to the country's wealth.

So get involved - vote: we need them and they need us!

Civil servants want bonuses (!)

Ok, ok, I know civil servants are an easy and frequent target and that they get stick all the time, but let's face it, they really do ask for it sometimes and one frequently gets the impression that they live on a different planet.

I remember being totally outraged last year when an article appeared in the Luxemburger Wort (during the depths of the ongoing crisis) reporting that civil servants were demanding a bonus, claiming that it was common practice in the private sector to pay employees 40% annual bonus. Hang on a minute. Sorry - what? Do you get a 40% bonus? Do you personally know anybody who does? Come on, get real, we're not in the city of London here.

The civil servants should know better than complain. They're virtually safe from foreign competition as only people speaking Luxembourgish, German and French will be hired (the first of these languages being a problem to the vast majority of foreigners) and a fresh university graduate entering public service will get more than 5000 eur gross a month. It's not a myth, just have a look at any state job ad (and their salary scales). How many recent graduates get that in the private sector.

Get real.

Willy Vauban - I'm back!

Hi guys! After many nice, friendly and encouraging emails, I've decided to give blogging another go. I have to admit, having a full time job and 3 kids, blogging does not appear in the top half of my priority list. Please support my efforts by clicking on the ads on the page which will send a couple of pennies (literally) my way. I can't say I'm in it for the money, but at least it gives me an impression of how many people look at what I write and are willing to support me.