Protests against wage rates begin in Spain: Workers take to the streets in 46 cities
Labor unions in Spain have organized protest demonstrations. The demonstrations were in reaction to the rejection of an omnibus bill that included improvements to wage rates and the expansion of social benefits.
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The country's largest unions, the Workers' Commissions (CCOO) and the General Union of Workers (UGT), held protest marches in 46 cities under the slogan "social rights are above parties." In the protests held with the slogan "social rights are above parties," calls were made to political parties to expand social rights and improve wage rates.
The rejection in Parliament of a decree-law presented by Spain's minority left-wing coalition government on January 22—which included social measures such as increases in pensions and the minimum wage, discounts on public transport fares, the extension of aid to those in need of social assistance, and aid for victims of the flood disaster in Valencia—was protested across the country.
CCOO and UGT members, who took to the squares in 46 cities, primarily in Madrid and Barcelona, targeted all political parties, especially the right-wing opposition, due to the rejection of the decrees prepared by the minority coalition government and presented to Parliament as an "omnibus bill," and the subsequent political debates.
In a joint manifesto published by the two unions, which conveyed the message "social rights are above parties," the following statements were used:
"People and their rights cannot be held hostage to the struggle between political parties or the interests of certain political parties."
The manifesto drew attention to the fact that more than 10 million retirees, nearly 2 million minimum wage earners, victims of the flood disaster in Valencia, more than 20 million people using public transport, and poor families receiving social assistance are in a difficult situation due to the decrees blocked in Parliament.
Demanding that the necessary decrees be issued urgently for people in difficult situations, the manifesto stated:
"Short-term disputes focused on political interests discredit Parliament and create negative effects on democratic institutions."
WHY WAS THE OMNIBUS BILL REJECTED?
The decrees in question were rejected in Parliament on January 22 because the separatist Together for Catalonia (Junts) party, which provides external support to Spain's minority coalition government, voted "no" alongside right-wing and far-right opposition parties.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on January 28 that an agreement had been reached after long negotiations with Junts, which has only 7 deputies, and that a new package containing the decree-laws had been approved by the Council of Ministers to be sent back to Parliament.
In addition to Junts, the main opposition People's Party (PP) is expected to vote "yes" this time on the new package, which is expected to be approved in the Spanish Parliament this week.
The coalition government in Spain has not yet been able to bring the 2025 budget to Parliament due to its inability to reach an agreement with Junts.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez assured the unions that he is 'doing everything in his power' for the law to pass