The Union of Associations of Self-Employed Workers and Entrepreneurs (Uatae) has communicated that it joins the general strike called for next November 11 by several unions, including CCOO and UGT, and has urged the entire self-employed collective to participate in the protests "to stop speculation" with housing and commercial premises.
Under the slogan 'Without housing or decent income, there is no possible self-employment', the organization warns that the increase in access to housing, the decrease in purchasing power, and the rise in living and operational costs put the continuity of thousands of self-employed workers at risk.
Uatae emphasizes that the speculative price escalation "hits" those who work for themselves doubly, as it affects both their usual housing and the spaces where they develop their business.
The entity warns that real estate pressure has consolidated as one of the main obstacles to the survival of local commerce, workshops, and small activities in the neighborhoods of large cities.
The rent of the premises suffocates almost half of the self-employed
Based on a survey conducted by Uatae of 800 self-employed workers, it is revealed that 49% have had problems renting a home due to being self-employed, while 43% allocate between a quarter and half of their monthly income to pay the rent of the premises.
Furthermore, the organization highlights that the rents of commercial premises have increased in the last two years, which accelerates the deterioration of the commercial fabric.
This increase adds to the loss of purchasing power of households and the consequent reduction in consumption in local commerce. According to the data collected in its support document for the strike, during the year 2025, 13,194 businesses disappeared, accumulating since 2020 the closure of more than 50,000 establishments.
"We share with all people the difficulties of making ends meet, accessing decent housing, and facing prices that keep rising. It makes no sense to pit those who work for themselves against those who work for others when a good part of our problems have the same origin. That is why this strike is also ours," stated the general secretary of Uatae, María José Landaburu.
In addition to supporting the general demands of the call regarding housing, wages, prices, and public services, Uatae encourages self-employed workers to stop their activity on November 11 and to join the demonstrations planned in various cities.
For those who cannot cease their activity during the day, the organization proposes to show their support by placing posters in their businesses and spreading the campaign #PersianasBajadas11N on social media.