The delegate of the Government of Spain in Cantabria, Eugenia Gómez de Diego, highlighted this Friday that "Spain is today the engine of job creation in Europe", and has attributed that growth to social dialogue, progressive policies and the contribution of class unionism, during her speech at the XIII Regional Congress of Workers' Commissions (CCOO) of Cantabria.
Gómez de Diego stressed that "the country multiplies by four the employment created in France and by five that of Germany", and has claimed that the Spanish labor market is "fairer, with less unemployment, more stable employment and greater equality", largely thanks to the reforms promoted by the Government and the work of trade union organizations such as CCOO.
"This government fought like no other to apply the recipe against the crisis of 2008," he said, citing measures such as the social shield, the increase of the Interprofessional Minimum Wage by more than 50%, advances in indefinite hiring, the reduction of the gender gap or the Recovery Plan with European funds, which, he stressed, "are driving a change in the Spanish productive model."
The delegate spoke to the 113 delegates participating in the congress, which is held at the Milagros Golf Hotel in Mogro and in which the current general secretary, Rosa Mantecón, opts for re-election.
During his speech, he defended the role of trade unionism in the consolidation of the social and rule of law state and warned of the rise of reactionary and far-right movements in Europe. Thus, he has valued the historical role of class unionism as a "natural defender of democracy and human rights".
In this context, he has asked the union to "continue to practice courageous trade unionism" in the face of the rise of the extreme right, and adapted to the new challenges posed by the current labor ecosystem, such as robotization, artificial intelligence or energy transition. “Transformations must be fair and they cannot leave anyone behind,” he defended.
Gómez de Diego concluded his speech wishing Mantecón and his team luck, and reiterated the commitment of the Government of Spain and the Government Delegation in Cantabria to social dialogue and policies in defense of workers.
The XIII Congress of CCOO Cantabria is held under the motto ‘Answers. New challenges, same struggles’ and aims to renew its governing bodies for the next four years.