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Spain Delays Workweek Reform as Unions Mobilize and Junts Threatens Rejection

The government postpones approval of the 37.5-hour workweek bill to next week while labor unions rally nationwide and Junts demands changes to protect Catalan business interests.

Overview

  • The Spanish coalition government has deferred the final approval of the 37.5-hour workweek bill to the next Council of Ministers meeting, scheduled for Tuesday.
  • Vice President Yolanda Díaz reaffirmed the government's commitment to passing the reform while signaling room for negotiation with opposing factions.
  • Labor unions CCOO and UGT led May Day protests across 80 cities, advocating for the workweek reduction and dismissal-law reform in alignment with European standards.
  • Junts per Catalunya plans to table a total rejection amendment in Congress unless the bill is revised to address concerns raised by Catalan business groups, which estimate a €23 billion cost increase from the reform.
  • Union leaders emphasized record corporate profits and unpaid overtime as justification for the workweek cut, while pressing for broader social dialogue to advance labor rights.