Catalan business organisations have reported that the general strike on Wednesday 11 November caused significant economic disruption across the region, despite low worker participation, as abc.es reported.
Foment del Treball, Pimec, and Cecot estimate strike adherence between 7% and 8%, with Foment recording 7% and Pimec 8% among small and medium enterprises. However, 27.6% of SMEs reported reduced or halted operations, even though 53.6% of these had no staff on strike.
Transport and logistics saw the greatest impact: 50% of firms in the sector reported disruptions, despite only 1.5% of workers striking. Construction followed with 37.6% of companies affected, and commerce with 29.8%. Commerce had the highest strike adherence at 15.5%, followed by construction at 10.2%.
The right to strike must go hand in hand with the right to work, said Yésika Aguilar, labour director at Foment, who told abc.es that road blockades and inadequate minimum transport services prevented many employees from reaching workplaces.
Pimec noted that 5.7% of workers could not reach their jobs due to mobility issues, affecting one in four companies. Around 12.6% reported pickets at their premises. Cecot’s survey of 391 firms found 20.8% operated partially and 3% not at all, with many resorting to remote work or rescheduling deliveries.
All three employer groups affirmed support for the right to strike but stressed that it must not obstruct those choosing to work. Pimec added that while it shares public concern over housing access, SMEs also face recruitment challenges due to the same crisis.
Sources: ABC.
