Yolanda Díaz Calls for Action Against Madrid's Controversial Agreement Limiting Public Employees' Right to Protest
In a significant move highlighting concerns over civil rights in Spain, Yolanda Díaz, the Second Vice President and Minister of Labor, has called on the Prosecutor's Office and the Ombudsman to intervene regarding an agreement made by the Community of Madrid. The agreement, which emerged from the Sectoral Table of Civil Servants of Administration and Services, addresses the working conditions for civil service employees and was ratified on December 11 and published on December 23 in the Official Bulletin of the Community of Madrid (BOCM).
The crux of Díaz's appeal lies in specific provisions within the agreement, particularly Article 10 and the tenth additional provision. According to Díaz, these clauses permit the administration to suspend the horizontal professional career, which includes the halting of salary effects for civil service staff during strikes, demonstrations, or protests organized by signing unions. This has raised red flags for Díaz, who perceives these measures as punitive, effectively punishing public employees for exercising their fundamental rights to assemble, protest, and express themselves.
Díaz characterized this agreement as an attack on these fundamental rights, marking a significant degradation of workers' democratic participation. In her letters to both the Prosecutor's Office and the Ombudsman, she articulated that such clauses represent an infringement on the rights of assembly and demonstration, noting the implications of such measures on the collective agreements that govern labor relations within the Autonomous Community, specifically Madrid.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Labor criticized the peace clause embedded in the agreement, suggesting that it surpasses acceptable norms for mandatory content and inflicts negative consequences for workers that go beyond the stipulations of the Organic Law on Trade Union Freedom. Díaz's comments indicate a strong resolve to challenge what she perceives as a violation of legal norms and constitutional legality.
The Ministry has urged for immediate actions from the Prosecutor’s Office to pursue adequate proceedings for challenging the collective agreement, including any necessary criminal proceedings that may be applicable. The Ministry highlighted its concern over the lack of responsiveness from the General Directorate of Labor of the Community of Madrid, which has thus far failed to address these serious issues raised by the agreement.
This call to action comes in the wake of rising tensions regarding labor rights across Spain, where public workers are increasingly voicing their concerns about their rights being undermined. As the situation develops, the engagement of the Prosecutor's Office and the Ombudsman could be pivotal in determining the outcome of this contentious issue and in setting a precedent for workers' rights in the region.
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