Yolanda Díaz Stands Firm on Working Hours Reform Amid Economic Opposition

Yolanda Díaz, the Second Vice President and Minister of Labor of Spain, reaffirmed her commitment to the reform of the working hours register on Tuesday, despite facing significant resistance from the Ministry of Economy. In a message shared on her Bluesky account, as reported by Europa Press, Díaz highlighted the staggering statistic that 25 million unpaid overtime hours are worked in Spain each week, asserting the need for these hours to be compensated. "We are a left-wing government, and we protect working people," declared Díaz, signaling a determination to push through necessary reforms for the nation’s labor environment. Her comments come in the wake of an unfavorable opinion issued by the Council of State regarding the draft Royal Decree aimed at reforming the working hours register. The Council of State's report expressed concerns from the Ministry of Economy, led by Carlos Cuerpo, who argued that a longer transition period is crucial for implementing the new working hours register. Currently, the proposed regulation mandates that companies implement the new system within 20 days of its publication in the Official State Gazette, raising concerns about additional bureaucratic burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Ministry of Economy has suggested that SMEs might require digital systems that impose costs for software licenses, initial implementation hurdles, and necessary training for employees. In light of this, they proposed that a public system or application be developed by the Administration to minimize costs for businesses, mirroring electronic invoicing systems. Criticism has arisen from various political leaders, particularly from Verónica Martínez Barbero, the spokesperson for Sumar in Congress. She condemned the proactive measures taken by the Ministry of Economy to oppose Labor initiatives. "It is incomprehensible that the Ministry of Economy is sending reports to the Council of State like crazy," stated Barbero. She described Cuerpo’s continuous opposition to labor reforms aimed at protecting workers as "shameful," referencing past examples under former Minister Nadia Calviño. Barbero underscored the need for the functioning working hours register by noting that an estimated two and a half million hours remain unpaid and unregistered in Spain. "Serious companies cannot have a problem paying and registering the hours that their workers actually work," she argued, insisting on the necessity of this reform for both workers and the nation's economy. Simultaneously, Aina Vidal, leader of the Comuns, also joined in the criticism, emphasizing the unjustifiable nature of the Ministry of Economy's maneuvers against labor reforms. She posed pointed questions to Cuerpo regarding their responsibility to deepen the provisions outlined in the Workers Statute, as well as concerns around the potential defrauding of workers through unrecorded hours. The ongoing tension between the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Economy represents a broader conflict within the Spanish government regarding the direction of labor policies and economic management. As Díaz continues to advocate for reforms aimed at ensuring workers’ rights and fair compensation for all hours worked, the outcome remains uncertain amidst a backdrop of political dissent and economic concerns. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2