The importance of May Day
The First of May is an emblematic date in the labor calendar, as the International Workers’ Day is celebrated. This day has as its main objective to vindicate the labor and social rights of workers, as well as to reflect on the living conditions of the working class.
The Catalan campaign and its focus on social problems
In Catalonia, the political campaign has focused its attention on management and the social problems affecting Catalans. Political parties have directed their messages towards issues such as employment and the living conditions of the population, coinciding with the celebration of May Day.
During this day, political leaders and representatives of the left-wing parties have participated in the traditional demonstration organized by CCOO and UGT in Barcelona. In addition to looking for photography with union leaders, the candidates have talked with the union representatives before the march began. Even the Junts party, which has historically kept a low profile on May Day, called journalists before the trade union demonstration.
Topics under discussion during the campaign
During the remaining days of the electoral campaign, it is expected that the issues of management and public services, as well as social problems, will remain prominent. However, it is also expected that other issues such as bulls, the judiciary and the struggle between Puigdemont and Sánchez will be discussed.
Trade unions have urged parties to guarantee decent wages and to seek solutions to the housing problem, which has led workers with job stability to fall into poverty due to rising housing prices.
Proposals by candidates
The candidates have presented their proposals in labor and social matters. Salvador Illa, candidate of the PSC, has promised a co-governance with the unions to improve funding and public services. For his part, Pere Aragonès, candidate of ERC, has highlighted the reduction of unemployment in Catalonia and has warned about the cuts in case Junts returns to the government. Jéssica Albiach, candidate of the commons, has valued the advances in labor matters led by Yolanda Díaz and has asked for the vote of all people who have found work thanks to the labor reform. Laia Estrada, candidate of the CUP, has proposed to reduce the working day and increase the minimum wage to stop the impoverishment of the population. Ennatu Domingo, de Junts, has expressed the commitment of his candidacy to employment and has highlighted the leadership of Carles Puigdemont.
The importance of electoral mobilization
The union leaders have called for the electoral mobilization of the workers to contain the extreme right, both Catalan and Spanish. They have stressed the importance of exercising the right to vote and of supporting those parties that defend the labour and social rights of the working class.
Conclusion (s)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The First of May is a day of vindication and reflection in which it is sought to put at the center of the debate the labor and social rights of the workers. In Catalonia, the political campaign has focused its attention on the social problems that affect the Catalans, coinciding with the celebration of this date. The candidates have presented their proposals in labor and social matters, and the unions have urged to guarantee decent wages and to seek solutions to the problem of housing. The electoral mobilization of the workers has stood out as a tool to contain the extreme right and defend the rights of the working class.
