In 2020, the Gipuzkoa Metal Convention was signed. As this was one of the commitments agreed upon in it, a committee was set up to work on equality in the sector. This committee set an urgent goal: to agree on a protocol against sexual harassment.

According to LAB, "even though all companies are obliged to agree on measures to deal with sexual harassment, reality shows us that small businesses with fewer than 50 workers do not have a duty to negotiate equality plans, so they do not apply any measures on these issues. Therefore, it is practically impossible to agree there the protocol against sexual harassment leaving women in helplessness".

"It is not acceptable to renounce the definition of a protocol"

The union has pointed out that it has been holding meetings with the employers for one year, as the first meeting was held on 9 March 2021. "One year has been enough for LAB to realize the harsh reality: ADEGI does not want a protocol of consensual action to deal with male violence. Regulator, that is, ADEGI refuses to agree on something that is mandatory." He regretted the lack of will: "It is not acceptable to refuse to implement a protocol of action in such serious situations that the main objective is not to prevent, sensitize and attack male violence and protect the women who have suffered it", he added.

LAB has "demanded" Adegi to "change" his position and agree on a protocol of action against gender-based violence to be applied. The union has announced that, "given the seriousness of the situation, LAB will prepare a response with the women of the sector".