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In April 1999, the LCGB trade union confederation called on the Luxembourg government to launch a programme to regularise the position of 5,000 foreign workers who are registered for social security but do not have a residence permit or work permit.
In a press release dated 12 April 1999, the foreign residents' commission of the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtleche Gewerkschafts-Bond, LCGB) called on the government to undertake a programme to regularise the position of workers who are in an irregular situation, in that they have a job and are registered for social security but do not have a residence permit or work permit. According to the commission, on 10 July 1997 six trade unions including LCGB sought an interview with the Prime Minister to try to find a solution to the problem, but the meeting has not yet taken place. The commission is also proposing that Cape Verde nationals living in Luxembourg should enjoy the same rights as nationals of countries in the European Economic Area.
According to unofficial figures, there are approximately 5,000 workers (2% of all workers registered with social security) who are in an irregular situation. This position has been brought about by the fact that the Joint Social Security Centre (Centre Commun de la Sécurité Sociale) registers workers for social security without checking whether they have a residence permit or work permit. It is now up to the government to resolve the problem.