The final agreement on collective bargaining featured prominently at a labor law conference hosted by the CC OO union in Alicante. The discussion centered on recommendations from the International Labour Organization and the implications of the European Social Charter for workers, particularly in cases of unfair dismissal and the evolving effects of new technologies in the workplace. The event brought together prominent voices to explore how these frameworks shape rights and remedies in contemporary employment relationships.
During the gathering, several judges from the Supreme Court and participants in the National Convention on Employment and Collective Bargaining examined the practical protections offered by collective bargaining. They noted that the recent agreements provide a robust reference point for safeguarding both individual and collective rights, including critical considerations around disability, gender equality, and technology-driven changes in the job market.
The discussion underscored the growing influence of European Union and International Labour Organization law on individual cases and administrative proceedings. Participants highlighted the need to understand how enhanced protections against unfair dismissal interact with the commitments set forth in the European Social Charter and the ILO conventions ratified by Spain. This trend signals a broad shift toward harmonizing national practices with international standards to support fair treatment of workers across sectors.
Rosa Viroles Pinol, President of the Fourth Chamber of the Supreme Court, addressed the adaptation of the workday and shared practical approaches for implementing flexible arrangements. The talks emphasized that workers have the right to request reasonable and proportionate accommodations and that negotiations should be grounded in legitimate business reasons when necessary to reach a fair agreement.
Maria Luisa Segoviano Astaburuaga, the first woman to preside over a chamber of the Supreme Court and a current judge on the Constitutional Court, spoke about the role of artificial intelligence and algorithms in professional relationships. She argued that these tools can streamline hiring and promotion processes when used without bias, yet warned that they may unintentionally perpetuate prejudices based on gender, age, or race. Maria Aurora de la Cueva, head of the Madrid TSJ Social Chamber, reinforced the importance of remote work for family reconciliation and highlighted how such arrangements influence gender roles and work-life balance across the workforce.
These discussions reflected a broader concern with ensuring that new technologies support fair employment practices rather than entrench existing inequalities. The speakers stressed that machine-assisted processes should enhance accessibility to opportunities while maintaining a strong human oversight to prevent discrimination and bias.
Workers earning the minimum wage will receive extra pay on their February payroll
The conference participants highlighted timely updates in labor policy, noting that wage adjustments and related incentives are being rolled out to support workers at the lower end of the pay scale. Emphasis was placed on the responsibility of companies to manage all costs associated with remote work, including equipment, safety measures, and risk prevention programs aimed at protecting employees in diverse work arrangements.
The dialogue also drew attention to ongoing legislative reforms in areas such as minimum wage indexing, hiring incentives, whistleblower protections, health and safety laws, sexual and reproductive rights, and provisions in the Penal Code for interns and apprentices. Experts agreed that robust collective bargaining remains essential to enforcing these legally recognized rights and ensuring that unions play a central role in safeguarding workers’ interests.
Overall, the event underscored a shared conviction that the evolving legal landscape must balance flexibility with fairness. By aligning national practices with ILO and EU standards, the labor sector can foster a healthier, more inclusive workplace culture where bargaining power and worker protections are strengthened through informed negotiation and responsible governance.