ELA denounces that the worker of Hego Euskal Herria has lost an average of almost 14,000 euros since 2008

Euskaraz irakurri: Hego Euskal Herriko langileek batez beste ia 14,000 euro galdu dituzte 2008tik, ELAren arabera

The ELA union assures that the worker of Hego Euskal Herria has lost an average of 13,968 euros in twelve years, between 2008 and 2020, because “average wages increased 4.2 points less than prices” or the CPI. Furthermore, people with lower incomes have lost more purchasing power than those with higher incomes. In fact, according to the trade union center, the inequality between the income of both groups has increased by 33% in that period.

ELA has today presented its report “Evolution of wages in Hego Euskal Herria: impoverishment and precariousness” in which it analyzes the evolution of wages and includes proposals in this area.

The report states that although “labour productivity in Hego Euskal Herria is much higher than the European average, average salaries are lower, both in the Basque Autonomous Community (CAV), 6.5% less, and in Navarra, a 14.2% below the EU average.

In this context, ELA is committed to raising wages at least according to the CPI, to reducing the working day to 32 hours per week or to establishing a minimum wage of 1,400
euros, among other things.

“In times of crisis, the working class suffered wage losses,” but “in times of economic growth such as the current one, the loss of purchasing power continues to grow,” according to ELA. The union adds that “the impoverishment affects only the working class and especially the lowest wages.”