Spain's unions back government public pension reform
Spain’s left-wing government has won the backing of unions to reform the nation’s public pension system
By JOSEPH WILSON
Published - Mar 15, 2023, 10:39 AM ET
Last Updated - Jun 22, 2023, 04:06 PM EDT
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain's left-wing government won the backing of unions to reform the nation's public pension system on Wednesday, in stark contrast with neighboring France, where plans to raise the retirement age have led to waves of strikes and mass protests.
The leaders of Spain’s two main labor unions, UGT and CC.OO., appeared alongside Minister of Social Security José Luis Escrivá in Madrid to christen the plan the union heads both deemed “historic.”
CC.OO. secretary general Unai Sordo said that the reform would be key to ensuring pensions for Spain’s retired population which he said is expected to increase from 10 to 15 million people by 2048.
“This is about maintaining a pillar of our social welfare system,” Sordo said.
