Spain: No agreement on tripartite "social pact"

Talks in July 2009 between the Spanish Government and social partners over a possible "social pact" to boost the economy and employment failed to lead to an agreement.

The Socialist Government has been seeking agreement with trade unions and employers' organisations on a package of measures to deal with the employment effects of the economic crisis and to lay the basis for a future recovery, focusing on issues such as creating jobs, protecting the groups hardest hit by unemployment and enhancing companies' competitiveness.