The Catalan employers' associations make their letters to the Three Wise Men for November 29th

Barcelona / MadridThe Catalan employer organizations Foment del Treball and Pimec have made their letters to the Three Wise Men ahead of the general elections on November 29th. Specifically, both business organizations presented a series of demands this Friday for political parties to take into account for the upcoming elections, but above all for the future Spanish government to consider. Foment del Treball did so in Barcelona and Pimec in Madrid, and both agree on certain elements: rethinking taxation, the problem, in their view, of what they call "work absenteeism," and the need to deflate personal income tax (IRPF).

To begin with, Foment del Treball demands the elimination of the main wealth taxes. Specifically, the business association has reiterated its historic demand to repeal the wealth and solidarity taxes on large fortunes. They also propose "reducing the burden" of inheritance and gift taxes, down to a 5% limit "in the long term." These tax cuts for higher incomes should be accompanied by a "rigorous review" of public spending, in the words of Foment's vice president, Mar Alarcón. The demand comes one day after the candidate of the Broad Front for the State, Ada Colau, precisely proposed the need to move in the opposite direction with an "additional tax on the rich."

In terms of taxation, although Pimec shares some of the previous approaches, it focuses above all on a tax reform that "looks at small and medium-sized enterprises". In fact, they are asking for less bureaucracy for this business fabric: "They cannot have the same obligations as large companies," their president, Antonio Cañete, has denounced.

In addition, the Catalan employers' association is calling for an annual deflation of personal income tax (IRPF), something that Foment also wants, so that it adapts to the cost of living, especially after years in which inflation has been through the roof: "They want to gradually correct the cold progression accumulated since 2021," they indicate.

Addressing "work absenteeism"

Both business associations are asking the parties for a "comprehensive response to absenteeism". Foment, for example, with initiatives such as recovering the figure of objective dismissal for non-attendance, repealed in 2020, which provided for the possibility of firing an employee who chains sick leaves for common contingencies (for example, due to illness); as well as for unjustified absences from the workplace.

Pimec appeals for a state pact. "It is one of the main problems we have," said the president of the association, Antonio Cañete. "We have to apply common sense," he demanded. Thus, Pimec is calling for an end to a situation that they believe generates an "increase in sick leaves," and at the same time for long-term and initial sick leaves to be able to have 100% compensation, but for it to be progressive over time.

Debate at Pimec

However, it is expected that Pimec will hold a debate this Monday with the candidates for Barcelona in the general elections. The employers' association presided over by Antonio Cañete will take advantage of this to make it clear what the position of the political parties is on some economic issues, both in the fiscal and labor spheres. In any case, at Pimec they acknowledge that promises are one thing, and facts are another. They cite as an example, precisely, the deflation of personal income tax, which the PP has demanded all this time from Pedro Sánchez's government. "We will see it when it is published in the BOE [Official State Gazette]", indicated the Pimec representative in Madrid, Ferran Bel, in a press conference this Friday.

Energy and housing

Among its economic recipes, the employers' association presided over by Josep Sánchez Llibre has once again called for extending the lifespan of nuclear power plants. Both employers' associations also focus on housing and infrastructure, from speeding up construction to improving freight transport.

"Surprised" by the minimum services

The employers' associations have placed their electoral demands on the table just a few days before the general strike on November 11th. Foment and Pimec have been critical of the call to strike, although they insist that they will not take legal measures to challenge it. "There is no labor motive behind it," said Cañete. Regarding the minimum services established yesterday, both Foment and Pimec were "surprised," especially by the 25% minimum guarantee in the public transport sector.