In a recent statement, Spain's Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, has publicly criticized Antonio Garamendi, the president of the CEOE (Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations), for his opposition to the proposed increase in the Minimum Interprofessional Salary (SMI). Díaz highlighted the disparity between Garamendi's earnings, which she claims are 23 times the SMI, and the struggles of the working class, emphasizing the need for equitable wealth distribution. She pointed to the historical context of wage participation in national income, noting that it has significantly decreased from 80% in 1980 to just 58% today, indicating a detrimental shift against workers over the decades.

Moreover, Díaz launched a new initiative aimed at "democratizing companies," which seeks to involve employees more in decision-making processes and to ensure fairer distribution of corporate profits. The initiative aligns with the government's broader strategy to position itself as a pro-worker administration, especially amidst ongoing discussions about increasing the minimum wage in Spain. With Spain's economy reportedly growing alongside substantial corporate profits, Díaz argues that it is time for businesses to contribute to the well-being of their workers by redistributing some of their wealth.

This announcement comes at a critical time as the Spanish government is navigating the challenges of balancing business interests with the needs of employees, particularly in light of rising living costs. Díaz's strong stance against Garamendi underscores the ongoing tensions between labor advocates and business leaders, as well as the government's commitment to tackling income inequality. The implications of such policies could significantly reshape labor relations and corporate governance in Spain, raising discussions about what a more democratic workplace might look like—an approach that could influence labor policy across Europe.