Spanish workers staged a general strike Wednesday over housing costs. A snap election is set for Nov. 29.
MADRID — Workers across Spain walked off the job Wednesday in a general strike over soaring rents and evictions, setting up picket lines despite stormy weather weeks before a snap national election.
It is the first general strike in 14 years to be jointly backed by the country’s two largest unions, UGT and CCOO, along with other labor groups and tenants’ associations. The central bank estimates Spain has a shortage of about 750,000 homes, a gap expected to exceed 1 million by 2028. The Youth Council of Spain says the average rent of 1,176 euros ($1,315) equals about 98.7% of a young person’s monthly salary.
The unions said early participation reached 90% at ports and in the automotive sector, with full stoppages at Volkswagen’s plant in Navarre and SEAT’s in Barcelona. They reported 85% in the meat industry, 82% in waste collection and 75% in energy, but lower turnout in health care and social services at 38% and the postal service at 35%.
Tension flared at Madrid’s Mercamadrid wholesale market, where about 1,000 protesters gathered. CCOO’s Madrid branch said police used pepper spray on pickets and arrested one person, and that 13 people needed medical attention. A police spokesperson confirmed the arrest but not the pepper spray there, though he said it was used to disperse another picket in the Carabanchel district. Storms named Charles and Bruna prompted weather alerts in 14 regions and threatened planned afternoon marches.
The strike follows weeks of protests and encampments after an 87-year-old woman died following her eviction in Madrid. Parliament’s rejection last month of government decrees meant to curb evictions and limit rent pressures helped lead Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to call the Nov. 29 election. His government has largely blamed right-wing opposition parties that run many regions and cities, while union leaders and many protesters also hold the central government responsible.
This report draws on Reuters coverage as published by Cyprus Mail, with background from The Local Spain.