In different parts of Hego Euskal Herria there have been mobilizations against unemployment, precariousness and poverty. Much of the population suffers from genuine “social genocide”. These mobilizations, convened by the trade union majority and the social partners, will culminate this week with the demonstration for dignity to be held in Madrid on the 22nd day. This event will bring together marches from different parts of the Spanish State, with the support of trade unions and social organisations from all over the world.

In Hego Euskal Herria the unemployment rate is 17%, 6 points above the European Union average. By the end of February, there were 229,118 unemployed people in Hego Euskal Herria, mainly women and young people, according to data provided by Eustat. Almost half of the people in the area do not receive any unemployment benefit. Precariousness is becoming more and more serious. 92.4% of new contracts are part-time. The CAV and Navarra governments continue to reduce social benefits. In the CAV there are 157,000 people at risk of poverty (7.2% of the population), and about 100,000 with food problems. In Navarre there are 50,000 people in severe poverty, 8% of the population. Women are one of the groups that suffer most from this dynamic of poverty and precariousness.

There are plenty of reasons for mobilising against unemployment, precariousness and poverty. The Basque trade union and social majority call on governments to radically change policies that favour banks and multinationals that generate “social genocide”. In this regard, they have called for concrete measures to achieve the rights that will dignify those who have been thrown into precariousness and social exclusion. Looking to the future, nothing seems to be good, contrary to what official announcements say. Social genocide can be deeper. Let us see if our dignity is enough to cope with it!