Spain business head urges tougher labor, pension laws
The head of Spain?s Confederation of Employers Organizations, Joan Rosell, is calling for tougher labor and pension laws which he believes will foster economic recovery. In an interview with Reuters, Mr. Rosell called on the government to not only slow spending cuts, but to make reforms modeled after the German approach. In Germany it is easier for businesses to obtain temporary workers and, if business slows, place workers in joint government-business run training programs. Mr. Rosell simultaneously calls for stronger enforcement of the right to strike and a more flexible labor market, both of which he says will help lower the country?s unemployment rate, which is the second highest in the Eurozone. Mr. Rosell sees a major problem in Spain?s unemployed working off the books and the lack of governmental requirements on receiving unemployment insurance benefits.
See "Spain business head urges tougher labor, pension laws", Reuters, December 11, 2013