Afra Blanco, a union representative, shared her views on the housing crisis in Spain during her appearance on “La Sexta Xplica,” a nighttime program on the Atresmedia network, on October 25. She emphasized that the ongoing debate about housing is deeply ideological, framing it as a matter of whether it is viewed as a right or as a speculative asset.
Blanco asserted that the foundation of the current housing discussion is fundamentally flawed, which she believes makes any potential agreement unlikely. She regards housing as “the fifth basic pillar of the Welfare State,” arguing that it should not be treated as a commodity subject to negotiation.
In addition to housing, Blanco also addressed the subject of wages. She noted that salaries are rising across various agreements, attributing this trend to the presence of wage revision clauses. She remarked, “Productivity linked to hours worked is improving,” which she believes is beneficial for employers.
However, Blanco also highlighted that despite these improvements, significant challenges remain. She expressed concern that the benefits being realized are not being sufficiently reinvested into the workforce. Her commentary underscores the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing discussions about housing and employment in Spain.
