Catalan employers are urged to raise wages and improve working conditions. A prominent social initiative led by Josep Sánchez Llibre spoke this week about a manifesto titled Good jobs, democracy, growth and prosperity in the 21st century. The message centers on the belief that decent work remains the cornerstone of robust capitalism and a strong parliamentary democracy.
Currently, about 16.5 percent of workers face the risk of social exclusion. This is despite many earning a monthly salary, according to the most recent living conditions survey published by the national statistics office.
A think tank based at Foment del Treball, with a strong social emphasis, called for a measured challenge to the persistent discontent with work across the Western world. It notes that four in ten workers report feelings of depression linked to their jobs. This unease aligns with broader context: Catalan purchasing power has persisted for twenty years while productivity has advanced by roughly 12 percent.
In the near term, the price shock of recent years has hit workers hard. The 2022 data show a notable drop in purchasing power, the sharpest since 1985. The situation showed signs of improvement in the following year. Updated collective agreements from 2023 suggest that workers will regain part of the ground lost to inflation and stagnation.
Nevertheless, the rebound is incomplete. About one in four Catalan workers have seen wage freezes for at least twelve months. Ongoing wage arrears relate to stalled collective agreements, including some linked to employers affiliated with Foment del Treball such as the agricultural accord. The Catalan Agricultural Institute of Sant Isidre has also expressed disagreement with unions about updating pay scales that still reflect the outdated minimum wage.
Foment del Treball argues that economic activity should be valued and compensated fairly, avoiding the idea of first-class and second-class jobs. The manifesto emphasizes that the pandemic demonstrated the critical role of many jobs that remain essential even when artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing, and it calls for recognition of those roles.
beyond growth
The think tank’s vice president, Jordi Alberich, says the path to repairing social divisions and protecting liberal democracy lies in meaningful deeds. Economic growth alone, while important, cannot by itself solve all social and democratic challenges.
The organization advocates social dialogue as a guiding principle for workplace decisions. It supports consensus among employers, workers, and policymakers on measures such as reducing the maximum weekly work time, rather than unilateral moves. While it did not specify negotiating the details of a universal standard for decent work, the intention is clear.
Over the next eighteen months, Foment del Treball plans a series of conferences to explore the framework for a renewed social agreement that shares wealth more equitably and features a fairer tax system.
— Note to readers: the core argument is that a resilient economy must pair growth with fair wages, strong dialogue, and social protection. The manifesto calls for practical steps that align wage growth with productivity gains, while ensuring that all forms of work are valued and protected as societies adapt to new technologies and evolving labor markets. This stance seeks a balanced approach where economic vigor and social cohesion reinforce one another, rather than compete for attention or resources. Sources reflect the positions of Foment del Treball and affiliated groups, with recognition of ongoing negotiations and policy debates surrounding wage setting, collective bargaining, and social welfare measures in Catalonia and beyond. For more context, observers note the importance of aligning labor policy with contemporary economic realities and democratic governance. Attribution: Foment del Treball.