Azpiazu defends a pact to raise wages in a “moderate and slow” way

Euskaraz irakurri: Soldatak modu “moderatu eta lasaian” igotzeko ituna defendatu du Azpiazuk

The Minister of Economy and Finance, Pedro Azpiazu, has once again opted for a “revenue agreement” between Government, employers and workersso that wages “accommodate” the rise in inflation “in a moderate and slow way”.

Azpiazu has responded in this way in the full control of the Basque Parliament to a question from the representative of Elkarrekin Podemos-IU David Soto, about the situation generated by the increase in inflation that in March stood at 9.5% in the Basque Country.

The counselor has insisted that the best way to deal with the situation is through the social dialogue, collective bargainingthe “reflection” on working conditions, the distribution of surpluses and the income agreement.

However, he has reiterated the risk of a “second derivative inflation”“if salaries are updated as a general rule with the sole reference of the rise in the CPI.

“We have to be very serious. That is why I demand an income pact and that from the responsibility of the Government, businessmen and workers we are able to adjust wages to the situation, but in a moderate and slow way,” he defended.

Azpiazu has advocated waiting to find out the effect of the measures adopted by the Executive of Pedro Sánchez and the European Union in the face of the rise in energy prices as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but he has insisted that the “invoice” of inflation “we all have to pay for it”.

He also assured that the Basque Government is acting to the best of its ability to deal with inflation. However, he has said that it does not depend only on the Basque Country or on the State, that Europe and the European Central Bank “have a lot to say about it”.

“We cannot look the other way and think that the other has to fix it, it is everyone’s problem,” said the counselor, who specified that some would have to make “more effort than others because it is also a matter of solidarity ” and has made it clear that the Basque Government maintains its purpose of supporting the people, companies and groups most affected by the effects of inflation.

“If we make the situation worse, the sacrifice we will have to make in the future will be even greater and that would be irresponsible,” said Azpiazu.