Spain’s leading labor unions, the General Workers’ Union (UGT) and the Workers’ Commissions (CCOO), declared a national general strike set for November 11. This announcement comes in response to widespread protests fueled by a housing crisis, as reported by Reuters.
If realized, it will mark the first general strike jointly supported by the two largest unions in Spain in 14 years. The last similar protest occurred in 2012, aimed at opposing austerity measures imposed by then-Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.
The UGT and CCOO announced they had agreed on the November 11 date, pending formal ratification by other unions during a meeting scheduled for later Wednesday.
This development follows just two days after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a socialist, announced early elections. This decision poses a significant risk for him, as the Socialist Party currently trails behind the Popular Party in opinion polls.
Housing Crisis in Spain
On Saturday, tens of thousands demonstrated in Madrid and other cities across the country, driven by outrage over the eviction of Maricarmen, an 87-year-old woman from Madrid who was removed from her home of 70 years due to unaffordable rent. She has since been allowed to return to her apartment.
Spain faces an estimated housing shortage of around 750,000 units, projected to exceed 1 million by 2028, according to the Bank of Spain.
As fewer individuals can afford to purchase homes, the rental market has come under increased pressure. The average rent of €1,176 represents approximately 98.7% of the average monthly salary for young people in Spain, according to the Spanish Youth Council.
Valeria Racu, spokesperson for the Tenants’ Union, stated, “We cannot ignore that a significant portion of our salaries is consumed by housing costs. What is the point of increasing the minimum wage when housing expenses rise three, four, or five times faster?”
