The leader of the General Union of Workers (UGT), Pepe Álvarez, has explicitly supported the agreement between the PSOE and Podemos for the regularization of nearly half a million migrants. Álvarez stressed that this measure is crucial for coexistence and for guaranteeing the labor rights of these workers, who will thus be able to contribute to social security and benefit from collective agreements.
“"It is an absolutely necessary step for coexistence and for the rights of these people, who will be able to stop working in irregular conditions."
Regarding the financing agreement between Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) and the PSOE, Álvarez called it “an opportunity” that benefits not only Catalonia but all autonomous communities, as it will strengthen resources allocated to social services and policies.
Speaking from Tortosa, the Secretary General flatly denied that regularization would generate a “call effect,” arguing that these are people who already reside in the country. Furthermore, he denounced that the xenophobic far-right wishes to keep migrants in precarious conditions and without rights.
Finally, Álvarez defended the need to fully deploy the Catalan Tax Agency (ATC), indicating that the current Statute already offers the possibility of working with a co-participation management structure, a step he considers essential to guarantee more resources for the communities.
