Marc Roca: “Currently, it’s difficult to find certain job profiles, especially in the most demanding jobs.”

Marc Roca Banet has been the territorial secretary of Pimec Tarragona since September. With a business background in the electrical, gas, air conditioning, plumbing, and renewable energy sectors, as well as in the production of wood pellets and wood chips as an energy resource, he has served as manager of the Association for the Promotion of the Port of Tarragona (Apportt). He has also worked in public entities promoting energy sovereignty and local development projects in Rocafort de Queralt—where he was mayor for eight years—and in the Conca de Barberà region.

How have these first few months been as secretary of Pimec Tarragona?

— I was expecting what I've found. I didn't know the company inside and out, but I come from managing the Port of Tarragona's business group, and its operations and objectives were similar to what I've found here at Pimec. I have to dedicate a lot of time to it, but I'm really enjoying this new work adventure. I think we need to work on aspects that perhaps haven't been fully addressed until now.

What would be the priorities for the next few years?

— Pimec is an organization with steady growth, and since 2015 it has expanded both its territorial presence and its membership. This is the path to follow. The brand we represent is very powerful and adds value, and this needs to be evident to potential members. We are, of course, an association for small and medium-sized enterprises, which also means we must be useful to the self-employed and ensure they feel properly represented by Pimec.

When he took office, he stated that he wanted to strengthen Pimec's role as a regional leader and be the voice of SMEs and the self-employed. How do you think that role can be enhanced?

— Strengthening our organization also means increasing our membership. We have a strong structure and offer valuable services that are often unknown to our members. We need to communicate more clearly, especially about our contributions and how we advocate for our members when speaking with the national or Catalan governments. We now also have representation in Europe.

How many members are currently in Pimec Tarragona?

— Between direct and indirect partners, we number between 9,000 and 10,000.

What is the current state of the business sector in Tarragona?

— The keyword is competitivenessThe competitiveness of Tarragona's business sector, like that of the vast majority of businesses across the country, is hampered by a lack of talent—of committed, trained, and motivated workers. Currently, it is difficult to find certain job profiles, especially for the most physically demanding jobs. Workers are legitimately seeking employment that does not involve physical or mental strain.

Lately, they have complained about the increase in sick leave.

— In fact, this is closely linked to the issue of competitiveness. We must consider that absenteeism has doubled in ten years. Worker profiles haven't changed that much in a decade. We can't blame the workers directly; instead, we must work to correctly identify the causes of this absenteeism and address them. For example, housing. From the place where a worker can afford housing to their workplace, they need a significant commute, and right now in Catalonia, we have a major mobility problem. Every day we see the problems caused by the commuter rail system; the AP-7 highway is constantly gridlocked. All of this adds to the physical exhaustion and mental strain on these workers.

Is the bureaucracy of the administration also a problem for its associates?

— Absolutely. Our members tell us about the obstacles the administration puts in their way. Procedures that could be resolved in two days drag on for months. How can you expect the administrative machinery to function properly if they already have your information and keep asking for it dozens of times?

The Verifactu system, which is supposed to allow companies and the self-employed to send information about invoices in real time to the Tax Office, and which was supposed to come into effect in 2026, has finally been delayed for another year.

— Micro-enterprises are saying, "Please, don't make our daily operations any more complicated." Verifactu seems to fit this description. It's true that, if implemented correctly, Verifactu should streamline all invoicing processes. However, the imposition of deadlines and timeframes is causing concern among our members, who aren't saying they don't want to use Verifactu, but rather that they need more time to implement it gradually.

What are the priority sectors for attracting investment in the Camp de Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre regions?

— We have a problem with mobility, which is crucial for attracting investment. Any entrepreneur proposing a significant project wants efficient and diversified communication routes. We also need available land for all these investments. Often, when certain projects and investments are considered, we encounter a No From the outset, there's resistance from certain sectors of society, who are more vocal than those of us who would agree, and this is slowing things down. Here, the administration has a crucial role to play. Before announcing certain investments or projects, a much more thorough assessment should be conducted, and direct communication should take place with local stakeholders to ensure a suitable environment for when these investments materialize.

What would be the strategic projects for the coming years here in the territory from Pimec's point of view?

— For example, the intermodal station. I believe that on this issue we must act as a regional lobby. And for that, we need everyone to have a long-term, comprehensive, and generous perspective. If we approach everything with generosity and consider it all as a whole within the region, all projects will be multiplied and strengthened.

Finally, one of the challenges of the coming years is the green transition, decarbonization. Are companies doing their homework?

— Businesses in Tarragona face a significant challenge. We are being asked to implement electrification and a green transition that must go far beyond simply installing photovoltaic panels, although those do contribute to productivity and competitiveness. If we look at the chemical industrial parks and the Port of Tarragona, the need for electricity will be immense in the coming years. We need this electrification to be implemented quickly because we are faced with the contradiction that many people don't want a very high-voltage power line, but neither do they want to burn oil or use solar panels. Businesses and organizations in the region should take a hard look at themselves and ask how they manage these contradictions. I have personally dealt with them, and the conclusion is that electrification is essential to stop burning oil. Projects such as the transformation to sustainable fuels or fuels with a lower CO2 impact are crucial.₂ These factors will also need to be taken into account, because I believe that 100% electrification will not be possible, at least not in the coming years. I'm speaking from a personal perspective, but we must undertake the same exercise at the regional level.