Government Seeks to Protect Jobs at Seat
The Catalan government is to hold further talks with automotive manufacturer Seat this week amid growing concern over potential mass layoffs linked to the company's transition to electric vehicle production. Enterprise and Labour Minister Miquel Sàmper confirmed the upcoming meeting on Wednesday 4th November 2026 during a parliamentary session. Sàmper, who leads the Department of Enterprise and Labour, said the government has held multiple meetings with Seat's management and stressed the importance of maintaining confidentiality during negotiations. "We hope that the measures taken will be the most beneficial for Catalonia," he said. He acknowledged that the government is "very concerned" about the possibility of future job reductions at the Martorell plant, a key industrial site in Catalonia's economy. The second electrification plant at the site has been described by Sàmper as "essential" for sustaining industrial activity.
Push for Greater Public Influence
Sàmper outlined that the Catalan executive is working to ensure that by 2030, Seat will have "many more projects" enabling its electrification strategy to advance without any job losses. The government is coordinating across multiple departments and is engaging with the company's works council to shape the outcome. ERC MP Jordi Albert has called for the Catalan government to take a more direct role in Seat's governance, citing the public funding the company has received in recent years. He argued that this financial support should entitle the government to influence strategic decisions.
Sàmper reaffirmed that the government's objective is to safeguard employment and ensure the long-term viability of the automotive sector in Catalonia. The talks with Seat are ongoing, and no details of specific proposals have been disclosed.
Sources: La Ciutat, viaempresa.cat (ACN), El Nacional (Europa Press), Europa Press.
