The Catalan SME Employers and the PSOE-Sumar Pact
The Catalan SME employers association Pimec has welcomed the amnesty approved by the PSOE in conjunction with the Together coalition. Pimec, which is led by Antoni Cañete, met with its board this Tuesday to assess the terms, noting that a clean slate had been agreed between Pedro Sánchez and independent factions. The association believes this framework will contribute to a stable climate for both the economy and society at large.
Pimec maintains a distinct stance from other large Catalan employers organizations. While Treball’s confederal body endorsed CEOE’s interpretation that the amnesty could tarnish Spain’s international image, within CEOE there are voices acknowledging the violence and tensions described by more radical factions. This tension underscores the varied reactions across the business community to the political settlement.
In contrast, Foment del Treball viewed remaining points as aligning with other political actors, though some parties, such as PNV, warned that the environment for business is becoming increasingly complex. This complexity could complicate growth and job creation in the near term.
Catalan SME employers have shown unwavering support for the prospect of Pedro Sánchez leading the country for another term. The Pimec board emphasized valuing dialogue and consensus among diverse political forces to establish a strong, stable government as soon as possible. The coalition’s commitments resonated with many in the business community, and Antoni Cañete’s team highlighted several pledges aligned with the coalition’s agenda.
The agreement between PSOE and Sumar includes provisions that elevate the importance of social dialogue with employers and unions. The government program calls for developing rules governing business representation, with a focus on increasing the participation and representativeness of SMEs in social dialogue, collective bargaining, and corporate governance. Such changes are aimed at ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises have a meaningful voice at the bargaining table.
Raising the profile of Catalan agreements
The pact between the Socialists and Basque nationalists brings to the table a new demand that Pimec has not yet secured with Foment or the Catalan unions: prioritizing autonomous agreements over national deals. This stance has led to stalls in negotiations. The Interprofessional Agreement of Catalonia (AIC) represents a Catalan-style framework for settlement talks. Although Foment rejected it, Pimec, CCOO and UGT signaled openness, while other Catalan actors remained cautious. The negotiation dynamic suggests that the Catalan social dialogue could be shaped by a strategic move from the Basque-aligned bloc, potentially influencing outcomes with Pedro Sánchez’s party and its allies.
Pimec also welcomed the commitment, agreed with Junts, to support the return of the headquarters for companies that relocated from Catalonia following the initial political shifts. Antoni Cañete reaffirmed that Pimec favors a plan that aids the region while ensuring that no special privileges are granted to those who decide to keep their headquarters outside Catalonia.