The general director of the employers’ association of Álava states that this initiative “is difficult to fit” in Álava due to its industrial character. “The market didn’t allow us,” he adds. Regarding the current situation, he admits that “there is activity”, but also a “clear margin problem”.
Euskaraz irakurri: Ugarte (SEA): “Gure enpresa egituragatik, ez dut aukerarik ikusten lau eguneko lan astea ezartzeko”
The CEO of the employer ARE Empresas Alavesas, Juan Ugarte, see not viable set the four-day work week in the territory of Álava, mainly because of the clear cut industrialas costs would skyrocket.
“Álava is the most industrial province in Spain, mainly an exporter and we compete in the world. If we drastically shorten the working day, our costs will increase significantly. Is the market willing to pay for those cost increases? I honestly don’t think so” , he argued.
In an interview with Radio Euskadi’s “Boulevard” program, Ugarte was questioned about the pilot program that the city of Valencia will test for a month to measure the impact of shortening the working week on mobility, health, economy or leisure. According to the businessman from Alava, this initiative could work in communication or telecommunication companies, but not in industrial companies.
On current economic situation, Ugarte has pointed out that the uncertainty at the international level has now been accompanied by financing problems and financial costs, making operating costs “delicate”. “There’s activity, but there’s a clear margin problem. All these elements impact the operating statement.”
SEA’s general manager described it as “good news” that the indices of omission Employment in the Basque Country fell in the last quarter – it is the fifth in the state – according to the latest report from the Adecco Group. However, he believes that “it is not logical that, as an area with the best working conditions, we have the highest absenteeism rate in Spain.”
Lastly, and when asked about the Ministry of Labor data that places the Basque Country as the territory more labor disputes —in 2022 it registered half of the strikes in the entire state—Ugarte does not believe that good Basque working conditions are “the result of the mobilizations”. According to him, “we have leading companies and therefore we can afford better terms.”
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
