The Vicelehendakari and Minister of Economy, Labour and Employment, Mikel Torres, has called for negotiation among social agents following yesterday's general strike. He stated, “Now comes the moment for dialogue and agreement. Strikes cannot be without consequence; they must change positions.”
During a radio interview, Torres emphasised that after the strike, “there must be a moment for reflection, and reflection must lead to dialogue and the possibility of reaching agreements.” He highlighted that “collective bargaining in Euskadi is a great asset that we must protect” and urged both unions and employers to find common ground “without red lines.”
“Dialogue and agreement are fundamental in this country. They have always worked,” he asserted. The Vicelehendakari reiterated the commitment of the Department of Economy, Labour and Employment to establish a minimum wage through collective bargaining. He reminded listeners of the government's efforts to facilitate an agreement between the parties and noted that the Basque Government fulfilled the mandate of the Basque Parliament by producing a report on the socio-economic situation in Euskadi, which established a reference salary range and was made available to trade unions and business organisations to aid negotiations.
Torres insisted that it is the responsibility of social agents to reach agreements within the framework of collective bargaining. “Everyone can sit at a table to discuss various issues, and I believe that could be the path where we can find common ground,” he said. He underscored the need to continue creating spaces for dialogue where all organisations can come together to address matters such as wages, occupational health, and working conditions.
Additionally, the Vicelehendakari praised the government pact and various measures implemented by the Basque Executive that “strengthen the competitiveness of companies, productive projects, and the economy of the country.” He cited key policies being developed, such as the Industrial Defence Table, the Basque Financial Alliance, and the Social Pact for Employment, which support the productive system.
Torres acknowledged that the economy has faced challenges in recent years due to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, tariff tensions, and energy crises, all of which have directly impacted businesses and industry. In light of this, he asserted the resilience of Euskadi: “We have a very competitive economy, and the macroeconomic figures reflect this.”
In this context, the Vicelehendakari reaffirmed his department's commitment to initiatives that strengthen the Basque economy. “Anything that reinforces competitiveness, productive projects, and the economy of the country will always receive the support of the Basque Government, both financially and in terms of relationships and dialogue with social agents,” he stated.
During the interview, Torres also mentioned that the Department of Economy, Labour and Employment is conducting an in-depth study on temporary incapacity in Euskadi, aiming to provide a rigorous diagnosis that identifies causes and proposes potential solutions. He stressed the importance of differentiating temporary incapacity from absenteeism, ensuring that the latter does not include situations arising from the exercise of rights recognised by legislation or collective bargaining.
“Under this premise, we need to assess the situation in Euskadi, but also what solutions we can propose that are coordinated and consensual with all social agents. This is the greatest commitment of this government,” concluded Vicelehendakari Torres.
