The Secretary of State for Labor, Joaquin Pérez Reywarned this Wednesday that Next week he will present his “latest offer” negotiate the reduction of the working day and that, if this is not enough to reach an agreement, he will respect his commitment to lower it to 37 and a half hours.
During his appearance before the Congressional Labor Commission, Pérez Rey defended that his ministry “tried everything” reach an agreement with unions and employers, from proposing flexibility measures to a support plan for SMEs.
To this is now added a proposal for direct aid to SMEs with fewer than five workers in sectors “further” from the 37 and a half hour week, such as commerce or hairdressers, which will be brought to the negotiating table planned for the next October 29.
This will be the ministry’s “last offer”warned Pérez Rey, who argued that he would ask unions and employers “whether or not this is valid to reach an agreement” and give them time to make a statement. In the event of a negative response, the ministry intends to “strictly comply with the coalition agreement” aimed at reducing the working day to 37 and a half hours in 2025, which it will do “with or without agreement”.
“If we have the employers’ association, it will be excellent news,” he said, asking it to “dedicate itself to representing the interests of Spanish companies.” and not to “other interests”but if this is not the case, he will seek an agreement with the union organizations.
