Foment del Treball president Josep Sánchez Llibre dismissed the upcoming November 11 general strike for housing rights as profundament equivocada, inoportuna, irresponsable i perjudicial
during the organization’s 19th annual awards gala in Barcelona.
Josep Sánchez Llibre Rejects the November 11 General Strike
The head of the patronal argued that halting business operations fails to address the underlying pressures of the residential real estate market. No ens enganyem: paralitzar empreses no construeix habitatges,
Sánchez Llibre told the gathering of business leaders and regional officials. He contended that the work stoppage unfairly shifts the financial burden of a complex social dispute onto private companies rather than the institutions responsible for housing policy.
Despite opposing the strike, Sánchez Llibre acknowledged that housing availability remains a primary concern for Catalan society and local enterprises. Businesses across the region face growing hurdles when trying to recruit professional staff because workers cannot find affordable homes.
Employer Association Calls for Market Stimulation to Alleviate Housing Crisis
To alleviate the residential crisis, the employer association called for immediate policy measures focused on market stimulation. Sánchez Llibre outlined several required steps, including expanding housing supply, mobilizing available land, accelerating licensing procedures, facilitating building rehabilitation, and strengthening collaboration between public administrations and the private sector.
The gala brought together prominent regional figures, including Catalan Parliament President Josep Rull, Barcelona Jaume Collboni, regional Economy and Alícia Romero, Enterprise and Miquel Sàmper, and Barcelona Provincial Council Lluïsa Moret. Addressing recent civil unrest in central Barcelona, Mayor Collboni condemned the weekend vandalism affecting local commerce, assuring business owners that the incidents are unacceptable and will not remain unpunished.
Spain Leads European Union in Workplace Absenteeism Rates
Foment del Treball also renewed its campaign against workplace absenteeism, pointing out that Spain has emerged as the leader in absenteeism rates across the European Union. Sánchez Llibre argued that businesses cannot simultaneously demand higher productivity while accepting high rates of missed work days.
Annual Awards Recognize Catalan Industry and Enterprise
During the ceremony, the organization presented its traditional medals of honor to notable figures and companies. Jaume Alsina, founder and honorary president of BonÀrea Corporació, received the Carles Ferrer Salat Medal for Business Career for building a major agri-food project within the productive economy.
Beverage company Damm earned the Company of the Year medal for business continuity and adaptation, while Vueling president and CEO Carolina Martinoli was recognized as Business Leader of the Year for steering the airline through a competitive sector. The Primavera Sound festival received the Business Projection award for establishing itself as an international music industry reference, and Camiral President Denis O’Brien accepted an extraordinary medal for securing the 2031 Ryder Cup for Caldes de Malavella and Catalonia.
