This week in the Basque Country a general strike has been called against the reform of the pension system that the Spanish Government intends to carry out, as well as against the social restrictions of the Basque communities and provincial administrations. The Basque trade union majority, ELA, LAB, STEE-EILAS, EHNE and TRES, have called for a general strike on January 27. Subsequently, this call has been joined by the CSR, the CNT, the CGT and other social groups. In the political sphere it has been supported by the Patriotic Left, EA, Aralar and Alternativa. The Spanish trade unions CCOO and UGT, which have branches in the south, continue to negotiate with the government and employers, who for the moment have refused to call or support any general strike.

If there are reasons for a general strike, there are more reasons today for young people who are unemployed and unable to get their first job, as well as those who are struggling with solidarity to access the labour market – family, friends, villages, neighborhoods... Pension reform will hurt those who have to retire in the coming years. It will affect the self-employed more, such as transporters; it will be a finishing touch for this sector, which is experiencing a catastrophic situation. And their historic demand to retire at the age of 60 will be ignored. However, young people who are unemployed today or unable to get their first job at the age of 30 have the darkest future. The youth unemployment rate in Spain is 40%, the highest in Europe. How will they be retired if a minimum pension contribution of at least 15 to 20 years is required? How can they get a minimum pension if a contribution of more than 40 years is required at least? The Spanish Government, which intends to carry out pension reforms with the help of the PNV, will inevitably launch them into poverty and social exclusion.