Catalonia: salaries, productivity and a deficit of 14,000 electrical installers

BarcelonaCatalonia has many assets, talent and growth, but it fails in wealth redistribution. It is a repeated diagnosis that has re-emerged during the Forbes Catalonia Economic Summit, organized by the magazine that periodically publishes the ranking of the richest people, at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona. In an analysis from many perspectives, and with the participation of consultants, politicians, entrepreneurs and executives, the great values of the country have been highlighted, but also the pending issues.

The most direct during the different panels that have been held have been the presidents of the business organizations Pimec, Antoni Cañete, and Foment del Treball, Josep Sánchez Llibre, who, in addition to labor absenteeism, described as a "national problem", have put labor market dysfunctions on the table. One of them, a deficit of personnel and talent that is striking in a market with a still high unemployment rate. An example: "There are 14,000 electricians missing. And when courses for this specialty are launched, very few people sign up, in contrast to what happens if one is offered to become a DJ," said Cañete.

And the other shortage: salaries, an issue that the president of Pimec has linked to the overweight of micro-enterprises in the economy. In Catalonia they represent 94% of the total, compared to 82%, for example, in Germany, and with a gross value added per person of 36,000 euros in Catalonia compared to more than 60,000 in Germany. Cañete concluded that more size equates to more wealth, generally more productivity and, therefore, higher salaries. Pimec insists to the Spanish government on the need for a law that avoids obstacles to business growth.

Sánchez Llibre also assured that it is necessary to grow more to have more prosperity and more to distribute and, consequently, higher salaries. And for this, productivity must be increased, which is below the European average. Sánchez Llibre advocated for a great pact at the European level to which employers, unions and administrations should join.

Growth that is not perceived

Along similar lines, Philosophy Professor Victòria Camps has assessed the effects of the growth of the Spanish and Catalan economy, but has warned that "people do not perceive it". The balance is that growth is quantitative but not qualitative, which amplifies inequality in a society in which "the common good is not of interest". The economic model, she concluded, "is not liberal but neoliberal; no one self-limits and civic commitment is avoided", that is, from the values of the French Revolution, freedom is prioritized, equality is valued "half-heartedly" and fraternity is not even mentioned.

At the same event – during which President Salvador Illa announced an average annual investment of about 400 million for 10 years to reduce the infrastructure deficit that Catalunya suffers from–, the Minister of European Union and External Action, Jaume Duch, said that Catalunya "is a hub for business, technology, and talent" in a context where the rules of international politics have gone haywire and trade policies have become a weapon of war, as is the case with tariffs.

There was also talk of the need for industry, stagnant for 15 years at 19% of gross domestic product (GDP), to gain more weight. The president of Ebro EV Motors, Rafael Ruiz, explained the reindustrialization process of the former Nissan plant in the Zona Franca of Barcelona. The company, which has just presented a new production line, presents itself as an example of successful public-private collaboration in the reindustrialization strategy.