The Spanish government made it clear yesterday that it one week it has strengthened its stance in relation to labor unions. Last Friday the tone was amiable as the Cabinet gave the green light to labor reform. On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Sáenz de Santamaria changed her rhetoric after six days of sharp criticism and due to the fact that labor unions are ending demonstrations throughout Spain.
Santamaria said that the new objective for the labor market is to create jobs for the 5.2 million unemployed workers in Spain. "Jobless workers have spoken, and they believe that the unemployed should have representation and have their rights upheld." Santamaria showed her respect toward those who exercise their right to take to the streets, but demanded that politicians be extremely forthcoming with those who they represent.
Her criticism of UGT and CCOO did not stop there. Deputy Prime Minister Santamaria lashed out on three other fronts. First, she spoke out against the labor reform process in parliament, although she indicated that the government is ready to "negotiate and strengthen the reform document." She warned that government will not uphold any measures that seek to "increase power for few."
