In the language desired by citizens
At the end of December, the Cabinet of Sociological Prospection of the Basque Government published the results of the study "Opinions on the Basque Country". Respondents were asked about a few promotional activities for the Basque country. Among the responses related to the world of work, I would point out that, on the one hand, 95% agree that the administration should respond in the language chosen by citizens, and on the other hand, only 4% of companies and/or private entities ask whether they should make an effort to respond to or attend to the language chosen by citizens. According to the study, almost nobody is against these two ideas. In other words, almost everyone agrees that citizens should respond in whatever language they want.
Regarding the use of Euskera in companies, 85% of the cases said that companies should offer young workers the possibility of working in Euskera in their jobs, while only 4% opposed this idea. It has only been asked about young workers, given a higher level of knowledge of the generation that is perhaps being launched into the labour market.
Education, public administration, cultural activities and the media are, in the opinion of the majority of the Basque population, the priority areas for the promotion of the Basque country. Trade and workplaces fall below priorities (6.9 and 6.6 points out of 10 respectively).
As I say, this is an investigation into a few opinions. To deepen the perceptions and attitudes around Euskera, we would need a broader research than is necessary to properly guide policies and planning, as it is necessary to know the opinions, motivations and perceptions of citizenship.
The establishment, assessment and consideration of language clauses in public procurement, in service awards and in calls for grants is an essential condition for serving citizens in the language they want.
Those who are making politics lately are several judges. At the beginning of the year, the High Court of Justice of the Basque Country has issued a judgment, following the request of the CCOO trade union. As specified therein, the City of Barakaldo may not lay down Euskera requirements for the personnel of private companies providing municipal services, even if the legal situation of the contractor is not that of the individual, but that of the managing administrative service. This will violate citizens' rights.
Judges are not taking into account current legislation, in accordance with Decree 179/2019 on the standardization of the institutional and administrative use of official languages in Basque local entities, as they may include in the contracts the necessary clauses as well as those relating to language. In addition, it envisages the need to incorporate into jobs personnel trained to work in both official languages. According to the Municipal Law of Local Entities of the Basque Country, the contracts concluded by the Local Entities will include the necessary clauses in each case for citizens to be attended in the official language they choose and for the provision of the service, under the same linguistic conditions that are required of the administration of the service.
The establishment, appraisal and consideration of language clauses to respond in the language desired by citizens should be inexcusable in public procurement, in the award of services and in the calls for grants, especially in the case of services aimed at persons resident in this territory or with public projection. Responsibility and enforcement influence the development of one’s own language, coexistence and well-being.
Rober Gutiérrez, Director of the Bai Euskarari Association
Bidali zure iritzi artikuluak iritzia@argia.eus helbide elektronikora
ARGIAk ez du zertan bat etorri artikuluen edukiarekin. Idatzien gehienezko luzera 4.500 karakterekoa da (espazioak barne). Idazkera aldetik gutxieneko zuzentasun bat beharrezkoa da: batetik, ARGIAk ezin du hartu zuzenketa sakona egiteko lanik; bestetik, egitekotan edukia nahi gabe aldatzeko arriskua dago. ARGIAk azaleko zuzenketak edo moldaketak egingo dizkie artikuluei, behar izanez gero.
Conservative mentalities are afraid of the term planning, linking with progressive and even communist political currents, as the new authoritarianisms do today (Milei, Meono, Orban, Aznar, among others). However, the idea of planning is still in good health, at least formally... [+]
The issue of cohesion is today the first responsibility of many governments, public institutions and non-governmental organisations. Indeed, societies with low inequalities more easily generate conditions for economic, social and cultural development, better governance... [+]
Although significant progress has been made in recent decades in some areas and areas of the Euskaldunization process, in public administrations the Basque Country faces serious obstacles and threats. In addition to the offensive against the Basque people that is taking place in... [+]
The Navarra Federation of Municipalities and Councils was born with the objective of "protecting and promoting their shared interests and local autonomy". A Communication Officer will soon be selected who will have to master Spanish and Basque.
For the PSN-PSOE rejects it... [+]
End of course. The professor in his solitude. It prints the rhythm of the reflection that noise does in the traction of the train: Has the work done this year been worthwhile? Exhausted, thoughtful, remember his friend's words: “Txo, the teachers have no right to complain to... [+]
Summer comes and with it the popular festivals of towns, neighborhoods and cities. Festivities have always been the refuge of social and political demands, neighborhood relations and popular euphoria. They take our streets and for a few days they are an example of... [+]
Who orders us ...?
The Basque Government has just been set up and the Minister for Education will be Begoña Pedrosa. Being a vice-counselor in the previous legislature and being one of the founders of the new Education Law passed last December, we are allowed to ask some... [+]
The last elections have sent us a clear message. We Europeans do not want wars. Ukraine has to end and the politicians have to take steps in this direction as soon as possible. In France and Germany, the far-right has been loosely imposed and the reason is in the war in Ukraine:... [+]
The Spanish state would become the dystopian stage of Tejerazo, in 1981. There, the political leaders confined to Congress were "invited" to approve a tacit agreement in which the status quo linked to the monarchic system, the bipartisan political system (establishment of closed... [+]
The new government formation has left many unanswered questions, but it is clear that once again we will have to be firm in betting on the Basque Public School. We were told that, although the same party will govern, we would have new faces, but that has not been entirely true... [+]
We are parents of Euskal Herria, daughters and sons; they are called Maddi, Izei, Dani, Alaitz, Aida or BEÑAT, but they may be Hatem Salem, Awad Muhammad 14 years old, Zakaria Magdy 6 years old or Nour Ahmed 7 years old. They were all killed by Israel in Gaza.
We can't imagine... [+]
After the post-election negotiation phase, PNV and PSE-EE have laid the groundwork for a government agreement between the two to “advance welfare, progress, self-government and transformation of the global Euskadi”. An 11-page document details the commitments and activities... [+]