Pimec warns: the housing crisis makes finding workers difficult

BarcelonaPimec has held its annual event in the midst of the housing crisis. And the president of the business organization, Antoni Cañete, has taken advantage of the presence of the president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, and the Minister of Social Security and spokesperson for the Spanish government, Elma Saiz, to warn of the risk of the housing crisis for competitiveness.

"63% of companies tell us that they have difficulties in filling job vacancies. And one of the causes is that many people cannot access housing near the place where they work," stated the president of Pimec. Cañete, who applauded the central executive for acting with measures such as decrees, warned at the same time that the housing issue is no longer just a social problem, but one that also affects competitiveness.

Before an audience of more than 2,000 people, the president of Pimec warned that legal initiatives "cannot end up reducing the supply of housing. Because if we create legal insecurity, if owners perceive more risk and homes end up leaving the rental market, we will not have solved the problem. We will have aggravated it." He advocated for a transversal pact for housing that is "broad, stable, and lasting."

Cañete also recalled other pending subjects and issues that concern business owners, such as workplace absenteeism, which, in his view, is a matter that must be addressed with the participation of all those involved in the labor and healthcare sectors; and immigration. Regarding absenteeism, the Minister of Social Security, in her speech, stated that "a medical leave is not workplace absenteeism" nor does a temporary leave necessarily have to be. Saiz said that companies can collaborate on this point in terms of occupational risk prevention, the adaptation of workplaces, or support for the return to the workplace.

Regarding immigrants, Cañete took advantage of the presence of Elma Saiz, who also holds the authority, to recall that if it had not been for those who came from abroad, it would not have been possible to fill all the jobs that the economy needed. Nevertheless, he demanded that arrivals must be "an orderly and regulated migration. A migration with rights and duties."

He also opted to "make wages grow", but in such a way that this increase really reaches workers and families. For this reason, at a time when inflation is affecting families and businesses, he has demanded adapting the personal income tax (IRPF) rate to the rise in prices (deflation adjustment) and updating deductions and aid for families. In any case, salary increases, to be sustainable, must be accompanied by improved productivity.

And for this reason, a business growth law is needed, insisted Cañete. "Size matters. Size allows for more investment, more innovation, incorporating more technology, internationalizing, better training for people, and attracting talent", as happens in Germany, with a weight of SMEs similar to that of Catalonia and Spain.

Awards

The Pimec awards night celebrated its 39th edition under the motto "Growing is the future. Let's make it big". During the event, the following awards were presented: the second business opportunity award, to Halitta Foods; the Catalan business projection award, to Druids Process Technology; the business linguistic quality award, to B i B Grup; the high-innovation Barcelona company award, to Theker Robotics; the social commitment award, to Pallars Fustes; the Pimes Plus award, to Kave Home; the most competitive micro-enterprise award, to 2M Engineering; the small business award, to Beor; and the medium-sized business award, to Krypton Chemical, among others.