Vicente Lafuente, the new president of the Valencian Community Economic Confederation (CEV), believes that the situation in Spain’s economy is “in numerical terms”, but he emphasizes that, in contrast to the growth of large companies, “small and medium-sized enterprises, micro-enterprises, and especially the self-employed, are entering a phase of extreme instability” – an “economic polarization”. Mr. Lafuente specifically mentioned issues such as the lack of generational change in the agricultural sector and the need to promote training.
This is how Mr. Lafuente, who was appointed president of the Employers Association of Valencia six days ago, expressed himself this Wednesday in a speech on the new edition of Encuentros SER, hosted by Radio Valencia, in the presence of the majority of the Valencian government, led by First Vice President Susana Camarero and Second Vice President Vicente Martínez Mus. In addition to a large business class delegation, the meeting held at the CEV headquarters in Valencia was also attended by PSPV-PSOE parliamentary spokesperson José Muñoz and Compromis parliamentary spokesperson João Baldovi, as well as the leaders of the main trade unions UGT and CC OO, Tino Carrero and Ana García, respectively.
In an interview conducted by Bernardo Guzman, head of the Valencian community Cadena Ser, Lafuente criticized social dialogue at the state level on the grounds that “it cannot be legislated by royal decree” and asserted that those defending companies feel “threatened”. Lafuente specifically referred to Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz, saying, “For the Labor Minister to claim that he is the protector of the working class, when in many cases we are business owners, especially small and medium-sized businesses, who are with the workers themselves every day and care about the people, it hurts me so much more than the minister’s actual edicts.”
As for whether he felt any animosity towards Diaz, Lafuente said: “Democracy is trying to understand people who think differently than you, trying to reach consensus. As someone who doesn’t try to reach consensus, that’s difficult. I think we have to respect loyalty to the system, and we have to respect it a lot because it’s a democracy chosen by the people, but I truly believe that it’s very wrong not to take into account the whole business community.”
Lafuente emphasized the need to “create health” for companies and address issues that affect competitiveness, such as schedules from consensus and absenteeism. “In social dialogue at the national level, we are deceiving a lonely people. When parties that lean to the left come, there also appear parties that lean to the right,” Lafuente commented.
CEV President Salvador Navarro, who succeeded Salvador Navarro, pointed out that “there are various social dialogues” at the Valencian community level, and stressed that “at the state level we have to make a major change of direction.” On issues such as working hours and reductions in working hours, he defended the issue by saying, “You cannot legislate by royal decree. Those of us who defend companies feel threatened at this moment. We cannot treat IBEX companies the same as small and medium-sized enterprises.”
The business leader, who has for many years presided over the Metals Federation (Femeval) and the Valencian Small and Medium Enterprise Business Federation (Sepimef), suggested that social actors should be “more united” and “discuss on a daily basis” rather than when the agreement needs to be renewed. Mr Lafuente indicated he would speak “soon” with union leaders attending the event and “make a common statement” of their position.
Lafuente also explained that there are “already discussions” that CEOE president Antonio Garamendi will visit Valencia on November 19 next year and that Lafuente will succeed Salvador Navarro as CEOE vice president. “Garamendi understands this process as a natural evolution of the organization, knows us well and knows there will be no problems, so it will not be a problem.”
“CEV needs social stability, because we have investments behind us, no matter where they come from,” Lafuente argued, while stressing the “institutional loyalty” of business organizations, which “just as we have no place in business discussions, do not participate in political discussions that do not align with us.”
The CEV president focused on the Generalitat’s budget allocation, warning that “much is at stake at the moment, especially in the most affected regions.” “It would not have been a bad idea to have a higher vision and at least approve the budget before discussing whether to go to the polls or not,” he pointed out. “It looks like I’m planning to run, but the only thing we want is for there to be some stability in the economy and society, whatever it is. We don’t want more wars. No one likes this polarization and it hurts us. So I want you to focus on society.”
In his speech, Lafuente also highlighted the fact that young people’s “lack of motivation” is a “big problem.” “I am very concerned about cases of absenteeism, but I am even more concerned about cases of sick leave due to depression among people under 30. These cases are increasing exponentially,” he noted. “It’s not because they’re less hardworking than us. The world has changed and they’re different. But it’s true that seeing the door closed, seeing that they don’t have access to life projects and homes in an orderly way, seeing that their way of life is no longer like ours, it’s really very demotivating,” he warned.
Regarding his vision for taxes, he noted that beyond the importance of public-private cooperation, “we need public systems for education, health, and sustainability, and that requires taxes,” but added, “These taxes should not make businesses themselves unviable, and above all, as long as businesses are well-run, I’m willing to pay whatever taxes they need.”
Regarding community finance and the Just Finance platform, Lafuente lamented that “they are forcing Valencian society to play a basketball game with one hand tied.” In his opinion, “there was no political interest in solving this problem.” “For better or worse, the issue of Catalonia has been brought up and put on the table at this moment. That’s why I say it’s a lucky start, but I have the impression that on the day the numbers are published we won’t be happy with the results,” he added. “In the end, the final solution could act as a hinge through politics, parliament and the Valencian parties with representation in Madrid,” Lafuente added, referring to the compromise, PSPV and PPCV.
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