Unions say Spain labour reform will deepen recession

[dipsydoodle]

(Reuters) - Trade unions on Saturday slammed Spain's new labour reform, arguing it would encourage companies to cut jobs and potentially deepen a recession but shying away from calling a general strike.

A key change in the law announced on Friday allows employers to fire staff paying 20 days severance pay per year worked and a maximum of a year's salary if its revenues fall for at least a nine-month period. In ordinary circumstances firing costs were cut to 33 days per year worked from 45 days previously, with the maximum payable amount also cut sharply.

"Many employers are as irrestibly attracted to firing staff (in difficult times) as moths are attracted to light," the head of the UGT union Candido Mendez said.

"In practice, (this reform) will mean all dismissals will tend towards 20 days' severance pay," he told a news conference held with Ignacio Fernandez Toxo, who heads the country's biggest union Comisiones Obreras (CCOO).

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/02/11/uk-spain-labour-unions-idUKTRE81A0BX20120211

[stockholmer]

1. and in related news,scientists now believe that stab wounds will draw a red substance known as blood

Especially self-inflicted stab wounds.

This whole 'controlled austerity' taked-down of the West is going to end badly, very badly.

[nanabugg]

2. The world-wide corruption is taking its toll everywhere. And the poor didn't cause this. nt