UGT in l’Alacantí Delivers Outlook on Welfare State and Pandemic Recovery
In a regional gathering at the union’s Alicante headquarters, Yolanda Díaz, the general secretary of UGT in the Navy, and Ismael Sáez, the regional head of the union, spoke about the role of the welfare state in guiding recovery from the pandemic era. The discussion marked a significant moment since Yaissel Sánchez stepped away from active participation, highlighting the ongoing importance of social dialogue in shaping labor policy.
The regional leadership underscored how the 2008 financial crisis and the subsequent handling of the Covid-19 emergency exposed the varied approaches to crisis management. They emphasized the tangible benefits observed from long-standing agreements between social partners in recent years, arguing that collaborative strategies have helped stabilize employment and social protections during turbulent times.
Díaz presented data illustrating a substantial shift in the labor market, noting that in the first four months of the current year 83,983 permanent contracts were signed. This figure stands at roughly 3.4 times the same period in 2019, when only 24,550 permanent contracts were recorded. The share of permanent contracts among all hires rose markedly, from 12% to 58%, signaling a lasting transformation in employment quality.
The trend was even more pronounced in tourist-heavy areas, where the proportion of new permanent contracts reached 60% in Marina Baixa and 70% in Marina Alta during the first four months of the year. These regional differences reflect the sectoral dynamics that influence job stability across the coast.
Photographs from the event captured Ismael Sáez and Yolanda Díaz briefly before the discussions, underscoring the close coordination between regional labor leadership and national policymakers. The session also highlighted a broader economic context for Alicante and its residents who rely on steady employment and fair wages.
Moreover, Díaz noted that the province has experienced a significant rise in the inter-professional minimum wage, with base pay climbing from 855 euros to 1,032 euros since 2019. This 64% increase over seven years has benefited tens of thousands of residents, reflecting policy choices aimed at lifting the standard of living in the area.
Despite these encouraging signs, the speakers acknowledged ongoing challenges. The union leader pointed to the persistently high rate of workplace accidents, which has claimed four lives so far this year. The acknowledgment of these tragedies was paired with calls for intensified safety measures and preventive programs to curb the toll on workers and their families.
In related remarks, Sáez reminded attendees of measures implemented during the pandemic that protected thousands of workers while allowing many businesses to survive the crisis. He framed these steps as a demonstration of the welfare state’s core value and as a counterpoint to tax-cut proposals advanced by some parties ahead of upcoming municipal and regional elections.
The dialogue culminated in a focus on a recent agreement with employers on collective bargaining. Sáez argued that this accord would help distribute the burden of inflation driven by wartime disruptions more equitably, ensuring workers share in the gains as the economy recovers. The discussion reflected a shared belief among union leaders and regional representatives that robust social dialogue remains essential to maintaining fairness and economic resilience in the years ahead.
Ismael Sáez and Yolanda Díaz, captured in a moment of planning before the talks, symbolized the continuity between regional labor voices and national policy aims. The event underscored a commitment to upholding workers’ rights, promoting wage growth aligned with living costs, and safeguarding safe workplaces across Alicante and the broader region.