The campaign, which began in Martos, Torredonjimeno, and Torredelcampo, will culminate in a demonstration in Jaén on May 1st, starting at 10:30 AM from the Plaza de la Constitución. Union leaders have emphasized the importance of this day as a crucial moment for defending labor conditions and democratic quality.
“"This May Day is a decisive moment in which not only the living conditions of the working class but also the quality of democracy are at stake."
The main demands revolve around three pillars: wages that align with the cost of living, access to affordable housing, and the protection of public services as guarantors of equality and social cohesion. Unions point out the paradox of economic growth and increased business profits, while workers' purchasing power declines.
The housing crisis has been described as an unprecedented structural problem, with many families allocating more than 40 percent of their income to housing. Urgent public intervention is demanded, including expanding the stock of official protection housing indefinitely, promoting public rental housing at affordable prices, limiting prices in stressed areas, regulating tourist housing, and ensuring that no citizen allocates more than 30 percent of their income to housing payments.
In this context, the unions have announced a Popular Legislative Initiative in Andalucía on housing, urging the Junta de Andalucía to address this issue that particularly affects young people, working families, and the elderly. The specific situation of the province of Jaén has been highlighted, as it records some of the lowest wages in the country, hindering the progress and well-being of its inhabitants.
Finally, the reduction of working hours has been advocated to improve rest and work-life balance, along with the defense of strong and well-funded public services. Unions warn that healthcare, education, and dependency care are increasingly strained, which could exacerbate inequalities by pushing citizens towards private provision of these services.
