Now yes. This Tuesday, the Popular Party (PP) showed its willingness to sit down with the “social agents” and take a position with the coalition government regarding the reduction of working hours that Yolanda Díaz’s Ministry of Labor has been pursuing for months. This was stated by the group’s president, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, in an interview with ‘La Mirada Crítica’. Of course, he is considering it in some sectors and when it does not affect productivity.
Specifically, Feijóo stressed that since their formation, they have “open to the Spanish economy while maintaining the productivity of the best countries in the European Union”as well as “reducing spending on temporary incapacity”, i.e. sick leave. He thus stresses that “if it is possible” to achieve these objectives by “working fewer days per week”, they do not rule out supporting this reduction.
In the same sense, the popular man explained that “Spain has a productivity problem”as “the rest of the companies in the European Union”. It is precisely the recovery of this indicator “the first thing” to talk to “social agents” in Feijóo’s eyes. While “the second thing” to negotiate with companies and unions is “the maximum record of [gasto en] temporary incapacity” – following this problem, he spoke about the popular proposal to change the Conciliation Act-.
Thus, “when we talk about productivity, when we talk about reducing temporary disabilities, we can value” a reduction in working hours. In other words, Feijóo considers this reduction if, when it comes to achieving these goals, “it is possible” to do so by “working fewer days per week.” “Of course, how can we do it?”, the popular asked, considering that “in some productive sectors would not be possiblebut, perhaps, in other productive sectors yes.”
In any case, for Feijóo, the issue must be addressed “always taking into account that the productivity of our economy is above the interests of unions or companies.” Depending on your point of view, “Productivity in our economy is employment”which in turn constitute “the revenues necessary for maintaining public services”, which “are the fundamental pillars of freedom and equality of people”, he assured.
Until the time comes, this positioning could ease the burden on Diaz’s wallet, which months of negotiations with unions and employers the reduction of the working day. A process that drags on due to the constant refusal of companies to implement this reform. However, Feijóo’s words pleased the president of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), Antonio Garamendi.
“I agree with what Feijóo said,” he assured, while opposing “the imposition of this reduction at the expense of the BOE.” These remarks come a few hours before the meeting scheduled for this Tuesday afternoon between labor, unions and CEOE, during which it is planned to continue the conversations. Of course, the president of the employers’ organization has already made this known to be against the demonstrations called by CCOO and UGT next Thursday because of this matter.
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