Antonio Garamendi, the president of the CEOE, assured that he did not understand the measure on paid leave announced by the Minister of Labor and second vice-president, Yolanda Díaz, nor that it proposes “social shields to the detriment of ruined companies”.
Garamendi thus referred to Yolanda Díaz’s announcement regarding the granting of paid work leave from 100% of salary for workers affected by DANA who cannot travel to their workplace due to caring for family members, mobility issues or connectivity difficulties for teleworking.
The president of the CEOE organized these demonstrations in Bilbao, where, together with representatives of Confebask, he supported a rally in front of the Iberdrola Tower in memory of those affected by the floods in Valencia and Castile-La Mancha.
The event, which lasted 10 minutes and was convened by the CEOE in work centers throughout the state at 12:00 p.m., was also attended by, among others, the president of the Confebask, Tamara Yagueand that of Cebek, Caroline Pérez Toledoas well as the global director of people and services of the Iberdrola group, Asís Canales.
The workers of Iberdrola Towersome of whom carried signs with the Valencian flag in black crepe.
Garamendi calls for “unity”
In this event, Antonio Garamendi called “individually” because “there is no one here anymore” and everyone has to “work”. As he pointed out, companies are demonstrating this “from the first minute” and he once again asked the political class “to stop playing politics and all together”.
In this sense, he stressed that this Friday the Minister of Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos’ bodyis with Valencian businessmen and workers and indicated that the CEOE is “in permanent contact” with the Government, and Valencian businessmen with the Generalitat, to “coordinate everything that is necessary”, as , for example, with regard to the Insurance Compensation Consortium.
He also recalled that this Thursday he had a meeting with the Corps Minister, whom he thanked for his work and for allowing them to “collaborate, participate and say what the real problems are” or what the lines should be of the ICO.
Yolanda Diaz
On the other hand, he declared that he did not understand “the people who take advantage of it to free measures which are not even agreed they don’t know each other or anything», such as the Ministry of Labor with its proposal on paid leave.
“With Covid it might have made sense, but now if there are no businesses, if there is nothing, because the bars have nothing left, the stores are ruined“Honestly, we don’t understand it,” he said.
Garamendi, who stressed that “the other part of the Government” consults them and that they “talk”, said that businessmen ask for unity and “they do not want to command”, but rather “collaborate” . .
“I say it sincerely, that is to say that it is a question here of help as you can has all the people so that businesses, which are also owned by workers, can reopen, help workers, but please, let’s work together and not give titles that people don’t really need. What people need is help, to see real solidarity,” he said.
Likewise, he wanted to make it clear that they are not only Valencian companies those who are affected, but those throughout Spain who are settled in the areas affected by the water, and he believes that they should also receive aid.
“These are companies from all over Spain, even small and medium-sized, that are permanently established there and, as it could not be otherwise, they are and must be considered Valencian companies, because they are part of the fabric , as is the case. in any other province, municipality or any other autonomy, where the business world, honestly, we have no affiliation to one place or another, but rather we are in the territory and whenever we are in the territory, we are from this territory,” he said.
In this sense, the president of the CEOE recalled the taxi drivers who then provided their services in risk areas, trucks that they could be in transport, that “they are not from the region, but that they found themselves without trucks, without taxis or companies that do not have a tax domicile” in Valencia.
After pointing out that there may be Basque companies established there, he added that it seems that “they have no help”, but he hopes that these are “errors of the first instance” which he hopes to resolve.
I remember the victims
Antonio Garamendi stressed that this concentration aims to be a “remembrance” for all the victims of this “tragedy”both in Valencia and in Castile-La Mancha, where, as he recalled, there were also deaths.
“It’s a memory for all the people who lost their homes, who are currently working on this and also for the completely overwhelmed businesses and workers who, at the moment, are seeing what their future will be. “, he added.
He therefore indicated that we are in “a very delicate moment” and reaffirmed that what happened “is not Covid” and has “nothing to do” with the pandemic.
“After Covid, when the authorities said to open businesses, they were intact, today there is nothing left. There are more than 50,000 cars affected “Because of the floods that destroyed businesses, I believe there is nothing left to see to know the true extent of this story,” he added.
Finally, Garamendi indicated that for the CEOE, today is a day of justification and sending the message that “we must be united”. “It is a common approach with the trade union centers, I believe that it also shows that, even if sometimes we can say yes, no, in other things, when things are true, we are one and I believe “It is an example that must permeate Spanish society”, he underlined.
