CEOE president Antonio Garamendi respects housing protests but warns that a general strike would be "illegal" and affect businesses. The employers' association will go to court if it is called.
The president of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), Antonio Garamendi, expressed his respect this Saturday for the housing protests taking place in Spain, although he warned that the employers' association will react if a general strike is ultimately called following the rejection in Congress of the two decrees, a measure he considers "illegal". He made this statement during his speech at the Foro La Toja, held in O Grove (Pontevedra), as reported by Infobae.
In statements to the media after participating in one of the forum's panels, Garamendi pointed out that, although there is currently no formal call for a strike, if one were to occur, the business organization "will have to go where it needs to go" because, he emphasized, such actions "are not legal". The leader wanted to distinguish between the citizens' right to protest and express their opinion, which he described as normal in a democracy, and a scenario where the rights of others are "invaded".
"No one can evade the fact that (housing) is a real problem in Spain"
Garamendi acknowledged that there is a housing crisis in Spain and that it is a real problem, but he insisted that a general strike is not the appropriate way to resolve it. In his view, interruptions of normal activity only have legitimacy when they seek to resolve a labour conflict, and this is not the case here. He also warned that a strike of this nature would affect the economy of businesses.
The CEOE president also criticized the proposal of "easy solutions" to address the housing problem or the option to "invade private property, which is also a great right". In this regard, he questioned what has happened during Pedro Sánchez's eight years in government with the "thousands of homes that were promised to be made public", and reminded that public money is meant to manage these types of issues.
Garamendi's appearance comes after Congress rejected the two decrees presented by the government, which has heightened the social climate and led some groups to propose mobilizations. The employers' association maintains its position of dialogue but does not rule out going to court if a general strike that it considers illegal materializes.
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