Diversity of Mobilizations
May 1 in the Basque Country has not been homogeneous, as usual. On a rainy day, three large mobilizations have been carried out: ELA, LAB in Pamplona on the occasion of its half century of existence, and CCOO and UGT hand in hand. Other smaller organizations, such as ESK, have also had their own distinct calls.
New Faces and Commitments
The newly appointed acting Minister of Labor and Employment, the socialist Javier Hurtado, participated on this date in his second day in office. He has reaffirmed the commitment to continue promoting quality employment from the Basque Government and the Government of Spain, in order to avoid setbacks in labor rights.
For his part, Imanol Pradales, the next lehendakari of the PNV, has highlighted the importance of collaborating with the company, unions and social agents, placing emphasis on training, fair remuneration and opportunities for youth.
Claims and Demands
From Bilbao, the leader of the main Basque union (ELA) has expressed the need for a change of course, warning that labor conflict remains open. He has requested more investment in public services and a shift in housing policies, emphasizing the precariousness that affects a large part of workers, especially migrants and women.
LAB has commemorated its fiftieth anniversary in Pamplona, remembering its coincidence with the carnation revolution in Portugal. In this context, the situation in Gaza has been addressed and tribute has been paid to ETA prisoners.
CCOO and UGT have shared a banner in the Basque capitals, focusing on the importance of care and the quality of public services, while demanding higher salaries and a reduction in working hours.
Political participation
Leaders of the PSE-EE, such as Eneko Andueza and Patxi López, have joined the demonstrations, highlighting the importance of improving the quality of employment and the political situation in Spain.
Sumar, IU and Podemos, close to CCOO, have also supported these mobilizations.
Presence of EH Bildu
EH Bildu has sent delegations to the ELA, LAB, CCOO and UGT mobilizations in Donostia, and the deputy Mertxe Aizpurua has taken advantage of the day to urge the resumption of two pending points of the labor reform: the reduction to 35 hours of the weekly working day and the extension of severance pay to 45 days per year worked.
