Spanish government delays vote on reducing working week to continue talks with Junts

The Spanish government has decided to postpone the vote on a bill to reduce working hours in order to allow time for ongoing negotiations with Catalan pro-independence party Junts.

According to Spanish government sources, representatives from the Ministry of Labor, headed by Yolanda Díaz, met with members of Junts on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the party – which is led by former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont – expressed its interest in safeguarding small and medium-sized businesses, the self-employed, and workers in Catalonia, calling for a solution based on "consensus."

Given the significance of the bill for the government, the ministry has opted to give negotiations more time in the hope of reaching a positive outcome during the "next period of parliamentary sessions."

A full debate in Congress was initially planned for July 22, the last session before the summer recess.

Junts sources told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that they did not request more time; rather, it was the Ministry of Labor that chose to postpone the vote.

Talks 

In recent weeks, the Spanish government has held several meetings with Junts to try to bring the party closer to the proposal to cut the working week from 40 hours to 37.5 hours.

On June 26, Yolanda Díaz, leader of junior coalition partner Sumar, met with Junts in an effort to persuade them, with the measure currently lacking sufficient support to be passed by Congress.

In June, Junts submitted a 'full amendment' to the Labor Commission opposing the working week reduction bill, arguing that the viability of SMEs "could be seriously harmed by this rigid imposition."

"Instead of promoting job creation, it could end up leading to job losses, especially in sectors such as services and agri-food," the party argued.

It also noted that employers' organizations have distanced themselves from the Ministry of Labor's proposal, which has the support of the main trade unions, CCOO and UGT.

The conservative People's Party and far-right Vox are also against the bill.

Spain took the first step towards reducing the working week to 37.5 hours in February, with the cabinet approving a draft bill in May.