Redaccion
Latest news on Trump’s tariffs in the US
The second vice president of the Government and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, has conveyed a message of «serenity and calm» to companies and workers in the context of the «trade war led» by the President of the United States (US), Donald Trump, whose «disastrous policy» has a «direct impact» that does not exceed five percent in Spain but rises to 7.6% in the Valencian Community, with a «highlight» in productive sectors such as ceramics or footwear.
This is what she stated on Friday in statements to the media in Elche (Alicante) before meeting with union and business representatives at the headquarters of the Valencian Association of Footwear Entrepreneurs (Avecal) in the Business Park of the city of Elche.
«We have enough experience. We have done it before, and once again, we will stand by our country,» emphasized Díaz, then pointing out that, although there are «structural needs,» the «Made in Spain» brand is also linked to footwear and these regions as a «common good to preserve.»
In this sense, she has shown herself «available» to the sector to achieve «adequate management» in this situation, for which «all services are prepared.» «No one needs to be laid off. Companies and workers will have the support they need. This is quality public investment,» she expressed.
Likewise, she has committed to «personally know» the situation of the ceramics sector soon, «which also has structural problems.»
«SOLE CONDITION: NO LAYOFFS»
On the other hand, the second vice president has stated that, in the current tariff context, «public resources are available» for companies and workers with the «sole condition» of «not laying off» and «maintaining employment.»
And she added: «It would not make much sense for us to give public resources from Spanish taxpayers and they end up being used for layoffs. Entrepreneurs will not do it, nor do they want to do it. The vocation of a company is to maintain jobs.»
In this line, she referred to aid provided by the Government after the storm in the province of Valencia or the activation of temporary layoff schemes (ERTE). Also, the activation of the RED mechanism at Ford Almussafes.
Furthermore, Díaz referred back to the COVID-19 pandemic by affirming that public money allowed «saving» around 550,000 companies and 3.6 million jobs, with a fiscal cost of 35 billion euros: «It was worth it, because today Spain leads the growth ranking in the OECD precisely because of this.»
GENERATIONAL SUCCESSION
Regarding the meeting with union and business representatives at Avecal headquarters, the second vice president has shown her «willingness» to work on the issues discussed in the meeting and stated that she knows «very well» the productive structure of Spain «in each and every one of the regions.»
Asked about possible solutions to ensure generational succession in the footwear industry, Díaz emphasized that this «issue» exists in this sector and others, and she is a «staunch advocate» of the job sharing contract as a «perfect mechanism for a coexistence between the learning» of older and younger generations.
She also highlighted the need for training and to defend a «highly valuable» sector like footwear, a «reference» internationally, and advocated for «raising awareness» among Spanish youth to «want to work» in this field and for entrepreneurs to «provide suitable conditions for this.»
Díaz referred to the aging of the labor market as «one of the main problems Europe faces» and not only at a national level. Thus, she made a call to «renew staff» and «attract talent» because there are «highly prepared people,» which «improves productivity,» and called for «incorporating women» into the economy as a whole, as there are «tools» for it, although she noted that the footwear sector is «highly feminized.»
