The agreement to reduce the working day to 37.5 hours per week, with no reduction in wages, has been celebrated as a significant labor advance by the central government and thetrade unions CCOO and UGT. However, the Balearic Government has expressed its disagreement, pointing out that this measure does not take into account the particularities of the Balearic labor market.
A labor advance with repercussions
The signing of the pact, carried out by the Second Vice-President and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, and union leaders, has been described as “a civilizing advance”. Diaz stressed that the measure will directly benefit 12 million workers, especially those in precarious sectors, such as commerce, cleaning and care services.
Díaz stressed that this change is a step towards equality, guaranteeing similar rights for first and second category workers. “Today we write a new page in the labor conquests of our country,” he stated during the signing ceremony.
Criticism from the Balearic Government
Despite the praise in Madrid, the Vice President of the Government and Minister of Economy, Finance and Innovation, Antoni Costa, expressed his opposition to the agreement. In a press conference, Costa assured that the measure “does not adapt to the productive fabric of the Balearic Islands”, where the service sector represents 80% of the GDP and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) dominate the economic panorama. Costa emphasized that the imposition of mandatory regulations is problematic in a community with such specific characteristics as the Balearic Islands. He also questioned the exclusion of the employers’ association in the negotiations, describing it as a key lack of representation in an agreement of this magnitude.
A historic agreement, but not without its challenges
The agreement also includes the implementation of a telematic time register that will allow the Labor Inspectorate to monitor working hours in real time. According to Diaz, this system will guarantee transparency and prevent abuses by companies. In addition, individualized sanctions will be established for those companies that do not comply with the regulations. The Balearic Vice President, however, warned that these mechanisms may be complex to implement on the islands, especially in sectors such as tourism and the hotel and catering industry, which require greater labor flexibility.
Possible solutions for the Balearic Islands
Despite his critical stance, Costa expressed his willingness to support a reduction of working hours as long as it is “flexible, agreed between employers and unions, and adapted to the productive sectors of the Balearic Islands”. According to the minister, any change must consider the specific needs of the islands so as not to compromise their economic competitiveness.
