Spaniards are bracing for transport disruption in a general strike called for Wednesday, but the work stoppage will not be big enough for the Socialist government to reconsider austerity plans.
Spanish labour groups have called the first general strike in eight years to protest against spending cuts the government says are needed to allay concerns the country could slide into a debt crisis that would threaten the unified euro currency.
Just 9 percent of Spain's workers, according to a poll in El Pais newswpaper, definitely plan to walk off the job on Sept. 29, not enough to create a political crisis for Socialist Prime Minster Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
The strike is unlikely to derail Zapatero's 2011 budget, which he presents on Friday after striking deals with lawmakers over deep cuts in public spending.
"(The strike) certainly won't topple the government, which will be able to say life goes on. At the same time, the unions will save face because quite a lot of people will take part," said Charles Powell, professor at Madrid's CEU-San Pablo University.
With one in five people out of work in Spain, a majority view the strike as justified and turnout could get a boost from workers put off from facing public transport chaos.
The strike comes on the heels of protests against austerity measures and pension reform in France and Greece, as governments around Europe impose post-recession budget trimming.
Labour groups in Brussels, Athens and other cities around Europe plan protests on Sept. 29 in solidarity with Spain.
You Might Also Like :
0 comments:
Post a Comment