Thirty workers gathered this Monday in front of the Inditex headquarters in Lisbon to demand a bigger pay rise from the group that owns Zara in Portugal, in a demonstration called by the CESP trade union.
Workers hold a banner that reads: “Inditex work groups fight for higher wages, increased social benefits, goals tailored to each store.” The sound system says: “No money, no money, we’re all in this conversation.” year long,” song by the band Quadrilha.
Ana Cruz, a company employee and director of CESP Setúbal, told Lusa that the company had increased its workforce by 60 euros this year to comply with an agreement with the union to control increases in the minimum wage, and in May gave another 20 euros, but only to two categories .
“That’s not a lot. In the best year ever [2023]many millions in profit, with the cost of living rising the way it is rising, 80 euros, and not for everyone, this is nothing,” he said, adding that there is pressure within the group on workers to work 35 hours rather than 40. According to him, the group’s full-time workers are already a minority.
The group’s employees are also asking for realistic targets, saying they are always rising and few stores reach them because they are unrealistic, meaning workers don’t get those commissions. They also want social benefits such as support for those studying, those with children and children with special needs.
According to CESP, in Spain the company’s salary policy is different: higher salaries, effective salary negotiations every year and, for example, birth/adoption support of 400 euros. There is no such support in Portugal.
In June, Ana will celebrate 22 years with the company and, as she explained, her net salary is “1000 and a little euros”, and, as she emphasized, because she has a full-time job.
Participating in the demonstration is Isabel Camarinha, director of CESP and former secretary general of CGTP.
The Inditex group employs 6,700 people in Portugal. This group includes the brands Zara, Zara Home, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Stradivarius, Lefties, Pull & Bear.
Spain’s Inditex, the world’s leading clothing retailer, posted a profit of €5.381 million in 2023, its highest ever.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Tifany Hawkins, a professional journalist with years of experience in news reporting. I currently work for a prominent news website and write articles for 24NewsReporters as an author. My primary focus is on economy-related stories, though I am also experienced in several other areas of journalism.