Fresh Air For Spanish Business

Thursday, 06 January 2011 22:53

Fresh Air For Spanish Business

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email
39 comments

Rate this item

(0 votes)

In Spain, like in many other European countries, a lot of aspects related tobusiness and labour conditions are decided through central collective negotiations. Since whatever is agreed upon sets the standard for the whole economy, the interest organisations involved need to be represented by people fully committed to defending their interests. Recently, that was not the case for CEOE(Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales - the biggest Spanish employers’ federation) but now there has been a change.

In order to create a more business friendly climate, the Spanish PSOEgovernment has to make several tough decisions. Obviously, the proposed reforms are not popular with the main trade unions UGT and CC.OO., which they have made clear in protests and demonstrations throughout the crisis. But when the government would have needed the help of visionary and respected employers, CEOE has been the victim of internal problems.

The debate has centred around Gerardo Díaz Ferrán, but not on his performance as the former former CEOE President, but rather on his role as a the owner of a tourism group. The bankruptcies of Air Comet and, subsequently, the whole ofGrupo Marsans, have resulted in severe conflicts with the former employees. It is easy to understand why a socialist government has maintained its distance. In media, Gerard Díaz Ferrán has often been picutured as a symbol of left-wing Spaniards’ prejudice about capitalists.

This is why the new President, Joan Rosell i Lastortras (Barcelona, 1957) – after having been elected in December last year – stressed that he aims to be a “speaking partner of reference” (interlocutor de referencia). Joan Rosell came to this position from the Catalan CEOE equivalent, Foment del Treball, and has gained respect through a lifetime career as a businessman. He started in the small toy manufacturer Congrost, but is nowadays one of the top directors within the giant Catalan savings group La Caixa. On a knowledge level he brings direct insight from the finance and tourism industries, but he is also appreciated for hisnegotiating skills; focused on reaching agreement while maintaining a low profile. On top of that, this is a president with a background in political philosophy; in his youth he did in fact form part of the liberal think-tank ‘The Mont Pelerin Society’.

The new CEOE President has been elected with an overwhelming majority and, for the first time in history, in a transparent way. Joan Rosell thus has a strong mandate for his program on convincing Spanish politicians about the need forfurther reforms and then giving support to carry them out.

High unemployment figures, strained public finances plus the need to implement pension and labour market reforms – the government clearly has big challenges ahead but there is now fresh air in the negotiation room.

- – -
Joan Rosell i Lastortras is referred to as Juan Rosell Lastortras in Spanish media.
- – -
Sources and inspiration
Expansión.com: Rosell, un liberal de libro con gran vocación por los pactos
Expansión.com: Rosell gana por mayoría absoluta las elecciones de CEOE
CincoDías.com: CEOE trata de cerrar hoy la etapa más convulsa de su historia
- – -
More on CEOE
Expansión.com: Los empresarios, ante el fin del paternalismo
ElPúblico.es: La CEOE, un gran negocio engrasado con dinero público