The re-election of Pedro Sánchez as Head of Government cannot be said to have caused excitement among the different economic sectors of the Alicante province; Quite the opposite happened, due to the transfer of PSOE to the independence parties. This is also due to political tension, which they claim threatens to slow down investments in the current climate of instability.. And then because of the fear of unequal treatment, especially on the industry side, which could affect competitiveness between autonomous communities. Tourism also showed concern about the negative repercussions it foresees for the national market. In the midst of all this, demands emerge unanimously and, in addition to vetoing instability, Reducing tax pressure, improving finances and creating ideal conditions for the development of economic activity.
Joaquín Pérez, president of the Valencian Community Business Confederation (CEV) in Alicante, focuses on the issue of uncertainty and its impact on investments. “Equal treatment for all regions”. Particularly in the case of the Valencian Community, which is “the community that should be compensated the most because it is the worst financed.”
Maite Antón, president of the Alicante Family Business Association (Aefa), says the following for herself: A call to avoid tensionand at the same time to defend constitutional rights, which he emphasizes “is the framework that we have had for decades for the greatest economic and therefore social progress in our country.” And all this demands “support for the activities and growth of our companies, administrative simplification and reduction of the tax burden.”
So what does the industry think? Marián Cano, president of the Valencian Association of Footwear Entrepreneurs (Avecal), also focuses on, in his words, the expected unequal treatment between communities and the impact of the environment of instability on investments. Another issue that worries you is agreement with independents to facilitate the return of companies to Catalonia Those who are leaving this area because of the process and the impact it could have on free competition. Finally, he demands “determined support for the sector”.
Jorge Ibáñez, President of the Federation of Metal Entrepreneurs of Alicante Province (Fempa), does not hesitate to describe this as “an abuse of power that will harm the whole country with seven votes.” PSOE agreement with Junts. And he believes that both the economy and the investments of companies operating from abroad and on national territory will suffer at the general level. What do you think, The best solution would be an election call or failing that, “by an agreement between PSOE and PP, which seems unlikely given the way things are going,” he suggests.
Pepe Serna, president of the Valencian Association of Textile Entrepreneurs (Ateval), expresses himself in similar terms and after criticizing the agreement reached for the appointment of Pedro Sánchez, he said: It demands that the new central Executive “govern on behalf of all Spaniards, taking into account all autonomous communities”. It also highlights a long list of demands, which include, among other things, ensuring decisive support for the sector, ensuring that European recovery funds reach SMEs and that economic policy effectively contributes to strengthening competitiveness.
José Antonio Pastor, general manager of the Association of Spanish Toy Manufacturers (AEFJ), does not evaluate the issue from a political perspective, but insists on stating the following: “What companies need is certainty to operate their operations, and the current state of instability is not helping that at all.”. It therefore requires a context conducive to economic development and competitiveness.
Luis Horcajuelo, president of the Mármol de Alicante association, who lives most of the time in Barcelona, is very upset and does not hesitate to accuse Sánchez of “leaving half of the Catalans hostage to achieve his goal of forming a government.” Regarding the demands, he said: “We need a Governor who ensures peace and facilitates private enterprise”.
Tourism
There are also concerns in the tourism sector, which is vital for the province of Alicante. “We are concerned about instability, given that what the economy is looking for is security,” emphasizes Fede Fuster, president of the Hosbec employers’ association. And on possible repercussions he adds: «We do not believe it will affect international tourism, but we believe it will affect national tourism.In an environment where costs are rising and there is only one drop left before the camel overflows.
The Association of Hospitality Entrepreneurs of the Province of Alicante (Apeha) is closely linked to tourism, and its president, Mar Valera, believes that the current situation will not affect it in the short term, “but – he adds – we do not know what will happen even further.” forward. “It depends on where these gentlemen are going.” AND demands corresponding investments with“Because if they don’t come, we all lose,” he emphasizes.
Regarding the construction, Jesualdo Ros, secretary general of the Association of Real Estate Developers of the Province of Alicante (Provia), without evaluating the investment conditions, He is confident that the government will start making decisions and promises regarding the construction of housing for vulnerable groups will be fulfilled. Of course, he does not hide his concern that “by forgiving the debt, the Valencian Community may suffer a loss of competitiveness compared to other regions.”
Something similar to what Javier Gisbert, president of the Federation of Public Works of the Province of Alicante (Fopa), calls for regional equality. «There can be no more privileged communities“I would not want the 100 million investment to be made in the Port of Valencia to go to Barcelona based on the investment agreement,” he emphasized.
Finally, on agricultural issues, José Vicente Andreu, president of Asaja Alicante, underlines that a period of uncertainty has begun, which is not positive for the economy in general. With everything, He points out that water shortage needs to be solved urgently.In the context of climate change, which poses a threat to crops due to lack of rain. “Dry land – he laments – is practically history, whereas cuts in the Tajo-Segura transfer for irrigation need to stop and infrastructure investments need to be made.” He also demands that the Government be strong in Brussels “to fulfill the reciprocity agreements with countries exporting to the European Union.”
Refusal to reduce working hours without collective agreement
Different economic sectors have expressed their rejection of the new Government’s ability to impose reductions in working hours without approval within the framework of collective bargaining. This was expressed by Marián Cano, president of the Valencian Association of Footwear Entrepreneurs (Avecal), who pointed out that “such problems cannot be solved through imposition and outside social dialogue.” He also underlines that such a measure would have very negative effects on labour-intensive sectors such as footwear, on the grounds that it “reduces our competitiveness”. The criticism does not stop there, but also expresses dissatisfaction with the fact that “social measures are always implemented to the detriment of companies.”
Jesualdo Ros, general secretary of the Association of Real Estate Developers of the Province of Alicante (Provia), expresses himself in similar terms and warns about the importance of respecting the rules of social dialogue between employers and unions. In his words, “Breaking or establishing unnegotiated criteria is not the way to go, especially on an issue such as the working day being less than 40 hours, which could jeopardize the fundamental concepts of collective bargaining.”