Spain’s fresh produce associations appear split over support for today’s (29 September) 24 hour general strike in the country, with two of the nation’s leading agricultural organisations expressing their backing, while another has denounced the action.
With much of Spain grinding to a halt today as a result of the Europe-wide stoppage against the austerity measures being adopted by many European countries, two of the country’s top agricultural groups have expressed their support for strikers.
The Union of Small Farmers (UPA) and the Coordinator of Agricultural Organisations (COAG) have signed a joint document backing the strike’s aims and attacking the Spanish government’s plans for cutting back public sector spending.
In a statement, UPA general secretary Lorenzo Ramos said that Spain’s agricultural sector has been “badly affected” by the economic crisis, claiming that the country’s government had not taken enough measures to counteract its consequences.
Mr Ramos said that farmers and growers, who “have to put up with the volatility of markets and low pensions – in many cases lower than €500”, could not allow more cuts in social security nor any movement forwards of the retirement age.
According to UPA figures, 32 farms per day have been forced to close their businesses between January 2009 and July 2010, with the loss of more than 18,000 jobs.
However, the stance taken by UPA and COAG was in stark contrast to that taken by Murcia-based fresh produce association Asaja Murcia, which described the strike as “pointless” and “politically-motivated”.
In a statement, Asaja Murcia general secretary Alfonso Galvez Caravaca claimed that “normality” was the “best remedy” for the current difficulties, arguing “now is the time to work more than ever, although we respect the right of workers to support the protest”.
