The Balearic vice-president and minister for economic affairs, Antoni Costa, suggested on Wednesday that the regional government is open to the possibility of reducing working hours.
"Nobody would be against working fewer hours, but we have to carefully evaluate the consequences," he said during a presentation of third-quarter economic figures. He argued that regulations should take account of the major economic sectors in each region and the capacity that companies would have in adapting to these regulations.
He pointed out that "the services sector would need greater flexibility than the industrial sector, for example", and called on the Spanish Government to be aware of the situation in the Balearics: "An economy intensive in services is not the same as an economy intensive in industry. This is why we are asking for a cautious approach."
Until now the Partido Popular government in the Balearics has confined itself to highlighting the difficulties that reform of working hours would pose. The shift in narrative is quite significant and is partly in line with that of the PP's national leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who has said that any reform should be flexible, without imposition and limited to certain sectors. Costa's remarks are unlikely to go down well with the two main employers' organisations - CAEB (Confederation of Balearic Business Associations) and Pimem (Federation of Small to Medium-Sized Business Associations) - who are both opposed to a shorter working week.
Spain's minister of employment, Yolanda Díaz, said earlier this week that an agreement with the unions will be finalised "imminently" and that from December 31, 2025 "the entire salaried population of this country, without distinction, will see their working day reduced".
Opposition in the Balearics is largely based on the practicality of application to an economy that is overwhelmingly dependent on services - the hospitality sector is a prime example. Ahead of negotiations for the sector's new collective bargaining agreement, unions have been talking about reduced hours.
José Luis García, general secretary of the CCOO (one of the two big unions along with the UGT), recently said: "It's not about the type of sector, but about rights. It is about whether we want a country that is committed to innovation or one that is precarious. Since 1983 we have had a 40-hour week. The economy, business and society have all changed."
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WildwoodInteresting reply, which I believe, not being that smart, and reading between the lines, basically agrees with what I said in the first place.
Richard PearsonWell, friend, understand what you will, your prerogative. "Decent lifestlye" - is subjective, of course; and by "smart," I did not mean as opposed to dumb. What I meant was, as in, keen, clever, pragmatic, sensible. We have the economic system that we have and one may use it to their benefit, legally, or be exploited by such machinations, continually, increasingly paying more into the chronically bleeding coffers and continually receiving less benefit - barring a scant few Countries where the pay-in more or less equals the pay-out. Operating through LLCs is nothing new. Own nothing yet control all the assets is the mantra of the financially elite - of which, I am not. Is that fair, equitable for the Society as a whole? Debatable. Is that immoral? Also debatable. Keep in mind though, the entrepreneurs are the ones who create jobs for the productive class. And, as Mr. Walker mentioned, one needs serious backbone to succeed as there is practically zero incentive in the majority of European countries for entrepreneurs to start-up - which, of course, is counterintuitive to a strong economy. If you can play a fiddle, hows about a British jig and reel, while the steel mills rust. (El Clash Combo)
WildwoodShould I therefore understand that to be able to have a decent lifestyle and money in your pocket, one needs to be “smart” and fiddle the system, eg pay less taxes ?
Ulla JacksonSo you are saying that no one is allowed to express an opinion about somewhere, something or somebody (my case) unless you have been there, done it, or met them ? By the way, “seem” seems to be the operative word here. I am not expecting a reply.
WildwoodI enjoy comments from someone, like you, who actually lived there, rather than views from people who never lived there but still seems to know all about Denmark.
Richard PearsonWell, yes, I lived there for 16 years and still have an apartment in Copenhagen. What smart people do is start a business and funnel all expenses, like cars, through the business account, thus reducing tax burden and personal expenditure.
Zoltan TeglasWith less than 10% of the UK’s population, of course it is. But it’s got nothing to do with socialism. Denmark is a free market capitalist country.
WildwoodOf course they are. Seen the price of cars in Denmark ?
I have staff to pay. The payments are already crazy, that's on top of the wages. I'm sure they will receive the same but the employer always loses. There is very little incentive to employ in Spain. This is just another reason to not employ or get rid of staff. Crazy socialism tactic. Looks good on paper. As the rest of the western world starts waking up to socialism we are stuck with it here for a few more years. A left wing government that over 60% of the country didn't vote for.
BeachcomberTheir 'wacky socialist state' has one of highest standards of living in the world. How terrible!