The Employers' Association Holds Its General Assembly Amid Calls for Social Dialogue and Investments in Alicante

The Confederation of Business Associations of the Valencian Community (CEV) held its General Assembly this Thursday, reiterating the main demands of the business sector, such as social dialogue and the forgiveness of debt accumulated due to the region's 'underfunding'.

CEV President Salvador Navarro emphasised the importance of social dialogue, expressing concern over attempts to weaken its structure through unilateral proposals or without considering the real representation of those who have been part of the table for years. The association has consistently criticised the measures adopted by Minister Yolanda Díaz, which have not taken the business community into account.

Navarro criticised that social dialogue should not be 'an ideological option' and addressed the Government to advocate for an evaluation of the impact of measures such as reducing the working week to 37.5 hours in SMEs. 'The proposal must be made with a serious assessment of business costs, because companies are not abstract entities; they are people who create jobs, invest, and take risks,' the businessman stated.

During his speech, the CEV President once again called for investments in the Valencian Community and Alicante, such as the expansions of Alicante-Elche and Manises airports, and addressing the 'water deficit'. He also called for measures against absenteeism and demanded a reduction in bureaucratic procedures.

Salvador Navarro, lamenting the corruption cases revealed last week, seized the opportunity to defend 'the majority of businesses that do comply, that do build, and that do put the common good above personal interests'. 'Companies that may engage in corrupt practices are an exception,' he affirmed. In this regard, he indicated that the CEV has a clear proposal to fight corruption: 'Ethics, social rejection of those who break the rules, clear and firm regulations, and the defence of judicial independence to ensure these rules are enforced without interference.'

The Assembly concluded with a speech by CEV President Salvador Navarro, who paid tribute to CEV Vice President Miguel Burdeos and other victims of the DANA. A tragedy that, in Navarro's words, 'has brought us closer together'. He expressed gratitude for the collaboration of companies, channelled through the CEOE Foundation, criticised the performance of the Insurance Compensation Consortium 'which left much to be desired, especially regarding response speed', and pointed to 'political tension' as 'the main barrier to reconstruction'.

Prior to the President's address, a round table was held to discuss how international instability affects business activity. Participants included María José Hernando, Head of Country Risk Unit at CESCE; Carmen Claudín, Senior Associate Researcher at CIDOB; and Raquel Jorge, Director of European Affairs and Brussels Office at Adigital (Spanish Association of the Digital Economy), and Associate Researcher at the Elcano Royal Institute and CEPS.