The Minister of Business and Labor of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Miquel Sàmper, has proposed the need to introduce changes in working hours to adapt to heatwaves. Sàmper pointed out that sectors such as gardening and construction cannot operate under current conditions and suggested getting used to working more at night.
In parallel, the Labor Inspectorate has sent 11,436 communications with recommendations to companies due to the heat and has carried out 143 on-site checks to verify compliance with the requirements established with social agents.
Regarding immigrant regularization, Catalonia registers nearly 200,000 applications, which is causing a shortage of police appointments and a collapse in police stations. The department has highlighted that the first immigration card is sufficient to formalize employment contracts. Additionally, the planned reinforcement for the Catalan Employment Service (SOC) has been confirmed to facilitate labor integration, with 50,000 places for Catalan language classes.
Regarding the defense industry, Sàmper reiterated that it represents a transformation opportunity for Catalan companies, given the European impetus in this sector. He also acknowledged the impact of the disappearance of the labor authority on company relocation and job precarization.
Concerning the Volkswagen crisis, the minister indicated that the cutback plan will have a low impact in Catalonia, calling for calm in light of SEAT Cupra's strategic commitment to electric cars in Martorell.
