Consell highlights importance of historic deal for Júcar-Vinalopó transfer
The footwear sector faces new pressures from recent labor reforms that add uncertainty to an already volatile industry. A fixed permanent contract has become a focal point, raising questions about how firms will adapt when activity wanes. In discussions captured in the Converses de futur forum, opinions diverge on whether employment regulation files, or EREs, will be the necessary recourse for periods of reduced production. Companies have asked for mediation from the Generalitat before the Ministry of Labor, a move that Ximo Puig has pledged to support, even while social dialogue progresses.
The president of Inescop, Antonio Porta, reminds readers that the shoe sector has long accommodated temporary pauses. Since 1961, there has been a mechanism akin to an ERE allowing a suspension of activity for up to 60 days, guarding the sector during alternating production seasons. Over the years these pauses evolved. In 1990 a fixed permanent contract emerged to provide flexibility across cycles, ensuring firms could adjust without derailing operations.
Today, the reform landscape has altered the calculus. Porta notes that a letter from the Department of Labor signals a shift: permanent or temporary workers should transition to ordinary permanents, with unemployment protections aligning to a 60-day threshold or to 20 percent of annual working days. He cautions that should the minister’s criteria take hold, the industry would face significant hurdles. Mila García, CEO of Pedro García, adds that without the crucial tool that streamlines workforce management, many companies may be driven back to EREs, even as workers express mixed feelings about the change.
Puig responded by saying he did not yet fully grasp the reform’s impact on the sector. He reaffirmed a commitment to mediate with the Ministry of Labor to secure the strongest possible position, all within a framework of dialogue and consensus with business and social actors.
In parallel, the Consell’s president used a visit to Elda to reaffirm support for the Vinalopó economy. He announced a targeted shoe donation program, lifting the figure to ten million over six years, while pledging upgrades to industrial sites and renewed emphasis on innovation. As the legislative term concludes, Generalitat plans indicate up to one hundred million euros invested in the Elda area, with road improvements as a key component. Health projects were also highlighted, including the second building of Elda Hospital funded at eight million and an expansion of hemodialysis and mental health services valued at one million by year-end. A scheduled tender at the start of 2023 will address a new polyclinic building and hospital parking for twenty-one million. The Consell underscored its commitment to a dry port with strong support for the most suitable project, describing this as a historic step following long-standing progress that spans several centuries, from Jucar to Vinalopó.
On the infrastructure front, Fetrama president Juan José Hernández thanked the Generalitat for its investments while noting that other projects have also contributed. He highlighted the adaptation of the A-31 motorway to improve safety and reduce accidents in the southern route, along with the push for a fixed ITV that supports smoother transport and logistics for the region.
Overall, the conversations reflect a broader strategy to balance labor reform with regional growth. Stakeholders emphasize maintaining employment stability while pursuing modernization, infrastructure enhancements, and sustained investment in health and logistics. The dialogue continues as policymakers, industry leaders, and workers seek a path that preserves competitiveness and social cohesion across Júcar and the Vinalopó corridor.
At the same time, industry observers note that governance and timely investments will shape the sector’s resilience. The ongoing discussions around EREs, permanent contracts, and labor regulation are set against a backdrop of a resilient regional economy that remains committed to job creation, innovation, and robust infrastructure for a thriving footwear industry and allied sectors. The focus remains on practical reforms that safeguard workers while enabling firms to navigate seasonal demand and market shifts.
In this climate, transportation and industrial networks receive renewed attention. The region’s authorities stress that targeted road improvements, smarter logistics hubs, and a steady funding stream will help attract investment, reduce costs, and accelerate growth in the broader Júcar-Vinalopó area. As projects unfold, the aim is to maintain momentum in both production and distribution, ensuring that the region continues to be a competitive hub for footwear and related industries.