The Federation of Companies of La Rioja (FER) states that the general strike held today "has been a failure," recording "very limited" participation and an "estimated incidence of 3.1% in the business fabric of La Rioja." According to the employers’ organization, the day has barely altered the ordinary activity of the companies in the community.
Based on the data collected by the organization, it is established "that the vast majority of companies has carried out its activity normally." In the opinion of the FER, this low level of participation shows that the call "has not had the support of the workers or of the companies of La Rioja."
The employers’ organization emphasizes that "we reiterate our respect for the right to strike, just as we have always claimed the right of workers to go freely to their jobs." In this regard, they stress that individual freedom must be guaranteed both to support the strike and to work.
At the same time, the FER considers that the protest has had "a marked political motivation, seeking to transfer to companies, to workers and to the entire economic activity the cost of some demands whose response corresponds mainly to the public administrations." They insist that the demands raised should be directed to the competent institutions and should not have repercussions on the productive sector.
In their statement, the business representatives affirm: "We reject and regret that companies and their workers are used as an instrument of pressure to influence political and legislative decisions. This type of call harms especially SMEs and self-employed workers, who face every day major difficulties in maintaining their activity, their competitiveness and employment, in a permanent lack of legal certainty and a climate of distrust," they indicate.
Lastly, the business owners and self-employed workers of La Rioja point out that "we consider that La Rioja society has sent a very clear message of responsibility, of the need to engage in dialogue, and of the importance of continuing to maintain business normality." The FER interprets the low level of strike participation in this way as a commitment to stability and dialogue over confrontation.