The Second Vice President and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz once again highlights the sanctions of the Labor Inspectorate against companies in the Valencian regions that have been seen beaten by DANA. Díaz revealed that his department was already processing 106 files opened to companies for alleged breaches of labor regulations in force if we consider that they have endangered the health and working conditions of their workers.
Díaz also clarified that the competence in matters of work and inspection belonged to the State, after making public that The Generalitat Valenciana had issued permits so that workers in different distribution chains could go to their jobs in full red alert because of DANA last Thursday.
“The regulations relating to the protection of professional risks have a state character and apply throughout Spain. There is no safe conduct which prevents the application of a general rule“, she declared after the controversy of recent days. Of course, the minister stressed that all the sanction procedures initiated do not exclusively concern companies in the distribution sector.
Void claims and dismissals
Díaz once again urged workers to report their companies if they believe they are not following regulations. “If the inspection does not act ex officio, I ask workers to report” and assured that these actions cannot lead to any retaliation from the company. “If they were dismissed in this situation, it would be considered void and it would mean their reinstatement in the position,” said the minister .
Díaz’s aggressiveness towards the Labor Inspectorate led to the Valencian employers’ association CEV to show its disagreement with what it describes as a lack of sensitivity in some of the measures approved by the government. In Valencia, the vice-president later lowered her voice even further by recognizing that the vast majority of businessmen respected the law. “All companies are complying and it is a very positive message,” he said after the meeting with employers and unions.
During this meeting, Díaz presented the Employment Plan announced among central government measures to help affected areas. An initiative that will count with 50 million euros which will be articulated in the form of direct funds to the municipalities concerned so that they hire unemployed people to cope with their jobs.
