Employer association Cecot: Spain has “a problem of democratic quality” by not dialoguing with Catalonia

Terrassa (ACN).- In a press conference dedicated to the current economic situation and forecasts for 2014, the Chairman of the Cecot Employer’s Association, Antoni Abad, also addressed the political tensions between Spain and Catalonia. In this regard, Abad called for “dialogue” and reminded Spain that consultations are “structural elements” of democratic life. He deplored the fact that Spain had such a weak “democratic quality”, “far” from other countries, adding he was hoping for “rationality” and “dialogue” to impose themselves in the political sphere. Abad also denied the words of the Spanish Minister of Interior Affairs, Jorge Fernandez Diaz, stating that the independence issue had not created any “conflicts” in Catalan families. On the economic side, the Chairman of CECOT forecasts “a small growth” of Catalonia’s GDP in 2014. However, Abad also warned against “the fragility” of the current moment since economic recovery is just starting and indicators are posting positive data but still with manifold limitations.

Abad said that democracy was at the basis of corporate management, where decisions were made through dialogue and equal respect for minorities and majorities. In this regard, he urged the politicians to rely on similar democratic principles.

When asked about the possibility of a unilateral declaration of independence from Catalonia, Abad said that he could not react to such a hypothetical scenario. However, he underlined the necessity for Spain to engage in discussions with Catalonia, stressing he did not understand the current lack of dialogue as it is a “basic duty” for any “rational” person. He also said that citizens “were starting to get tired” of the “struggle” and disappointed by the “political spectacle”. He condemned those who wanted to impose a negative stance based on fear and claimed that success comes when thinking positive.

He also recalled that the Catalan business owners had spent years trying to modernise the Spanish economy and that Spain had usually responded with “inertia”.

No “conflicts”

Abad also denied the words of the Spanish Minister for Home Affairs, Jorge Fernandez Diaz, who stated last week that the Catalan independence claims were causing conflicts within families. The Cecot Chairman gave a clear statement: “There are no conflicts”. He added he did not know any family or friends with different opinions on the subject who were quarrelling for this, and said people felt “absolutely normal”.

On a side note, Abad deplored the fact that some people in Spain wanted to boycott Catalan products. Nevertheless, he stressed that they are a “minority” and that most people consumed in a “normal” way the products they liked best.

A “small economic growth” in spite of the “divorce” between politics and businesses

Antoni Abad said they felt they were starting to stand “on firm land” again and that a “small growth” in the economy was expected for 2014. He remarked that the Christmas season had been better than the previous year and emphasised the increase in employment offers after a 15-month downward trend. Abad explained that these were encouraging signs, a start to overcome the crisis but in order to actually do so, the right decisions had to be made. Therefore, he called for dialogue and regretted the frequent lack of discussions between the Spanish authorities and the employers: “it would be very positive to talk with employers regularly”.

The Chairman of the Cecot regretted the current “divorce” between politics and society, especially businesses. He insisted that the decisions and laws were made “from a higher place” and that the State “does not hold its end of the bargain, which is to defend the public interest”. Thus, he stated that one of the challenges for 2014 was for political parties, society and businesses to all be “in the same place”.

The Spanish energy policy criticised

Abad acknowledged that much more was needed to be done to actually overcome the crisis.  Solving the Spanish “fragility” resulting from energy cost, especially electricity, is one of the main priorities. The Chairman of Cecot denounced the Spanish Government’s intention to make the industry pay for this “accumulated nonsense”. Instead, according to Abad, the industry should be the backbone for job creation and generate more wealth for society.

Defining priority markets and encouraging the industry

He assured that in order to do so, they had to get “out of stagnation” and invest more in the industry, innovation, and internationalization, Catalonia’s greatest assets at the current moment. He added that they should define target markets and priority budgets for both the Spanish and Catalan Governments. For example, he urged the Spanish Government to allocate the money necessary to finish the B-40 road between Terrassa and Martorell (Greater Barcelona), adding that even employers were willing to provide private money to participate in this public work.

Also, Abad explained he believed Spain should “further consolidate” the current framework of labour law, by ensuring that there is more certainty and “less judicial” decisions.  He also argued in favour of a productive economy and towards redefining employment policies. Abad said he had not invented anything new but wished to follow the example of positive initiatives undertaken in other countries which had had positive results.