Spain´s unions protest against cuts by Zuzana Zelenakova

A wave of austerity measures hit Europe stricken by debt crisis some time ago, and, well, one thing is for sure, unions don´t like it. Now it is Spain that is facing a strike when tens of thousands of public workers went to the streets to protest against government austerity cuts. The Spanish unions that are representing about 2.6 million people called the strike after the government announced another 15 billion euros in spending cuts over the next two years. The matter is even more delicate because also public wage cuts are included, for the first time in 30 years. The country´s efforts to get a grip on swelling public deficit have resulted in 24-hour strike on ! Tuesday that affected many sectors from postal to health services and prisons. Also bus and train traffic was disrupted. according to the Spanish unions, about 75 percent of public workers took part and did not show up at their workplace. International Monetary Fund welcomed the measures taken by the Spanich government, however, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who has pledged to protect people´s social interests even in times of severe economic crisis will have a lot of explaining to do. He will have to calm down the angry voices that will undoubtedly assault his credibility. Unions, employers and the government have been trying to come to a mutual agreement on the labor market reform, however, all the attempts have failed so far. "If there is no agreement the government will put in place a reform before the end of June. The labour reform has the potential to boost our growth," said Finance Minister Elena Salgado on Tuesday. The reform should make the lab! or market more flexible, and it should include loosening payof! f condit ions for permanent workers, and at the same time prompt employers to hire more permanent workers.

related story (sgx17526): http://www.france24.com/en/20100608-civil-servants-strike-ag...

by Zuzana Zelenakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

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