(Bloomberg) — Spanish Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz threw her support behind union plans to protest for higher wages, as the country suffers its worst cost-of-living crisis in four decades.
(Bloomberg) — Spanish Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz threw her support behind union plans to protest for higher wages, as the country suffers its worst cost-of-living crisis in four decades.
“Unions have reasons to head to the streets” to demand pay increases, Diaz said Monday in an interview with Spanish radio broadcaster Cadena Ser. Business organizations are “blocking” collective salary agreements, she added.
The head of UGT, one of Spain’s largest union umbrella groups, last week warned that there will be an autumn full of protests if the country’s main industry group doesn’t sit down to negotiate, according to state-owned broadcaster RTVE.
Spain in recent months has recorded the strongest employment rates in more than a decade, but the healthier job market comes as the country suffers the highest inflation since the mid-80s — with prices up as much as 10.8% in July.
The employment rate has been positively affected, in part, by a new labor law passed this year, which was presented by Diaz — also one of the three deputy prime ministers.
Diaz is the highest-ranking government official from junior coalition partner Unidas Podemos. Also a member of Spain’s Communist party, the labor lawyer with extensive ties to unions is widely expected to run for prime minister in the next election, expected in late 2023.
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