Spain: reactions to the decree-law reforming the labor market

Growing union mobilization.  Unions immediately openly rejected the labor reform the government adopted on February 10 (see our dispatch No.  120100) and called for protest demonstrations across the country on February 19.  They announced a growing mobilization campaign which could lead to a general strike.  They warned that they were going to look at the constitutional character of some points of the decree-law and are denouncing a tailor-made reform to send a message to the European Commission without banking on bargaining and consulting with the social partners.  Besides, they are criticizing a text making laying off cheaper and allowing businesses to decrease wages in general.  CCOO general secretary Ignacio Fernandez Toxo said, “The decree-law is going to let jobs be destroyed faster because of the easy terms to justify layoffs – forecasting losses.” 
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al partners. Besides, they are criticizing a text making laying off cheaper and allowing businesses to decrease wages in general. CCOO general secretary Ignacio Fernandez Toxo said, “The decree-law is going to let jobs be destroyed faster because of the easy terms to justify layoffs – forecasting losses.”

In spite of their in-depth criticism, unions chose a moderate response to study the details of the decree-law and survey the mob’s state of mind. Since the crisis began, there has only been

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