The PP deputy in the Assembly of Extremadura, Margarita Núñez, has pointed out that the latest data from the EPA for the third quarter shows that the measures of the Executive of María Guardiola "suit the region well," although she has emphasized that her party is not satisfied with the progress made.
"The EPA leaves us advancements that we must value and also challenges that we must continue to face. We are not satisfied, we want the people of Extremadura to find work, for our companies to grow, and for our young people to be able to build their future here," she stated.
In this line, she reiterated that the goal of the regional government is to "continue playing" in "the first division" that Extremadura is "already reaching" thanks to the policies promoted by Guardiola. "That is our commitment, to support those who generate employment and create opportunities for families. And this is the path we are going to follow," she asserted.
During a press conference held this Tuesday in Mérida, Núñez emphasized that "today Extremadura has the lowest unemployment rate in the last 19 years and female unemployment reaches historic lows."
In this regard, she has valued "very positively" that unemployment has been reduced by 1,700 people in the third quarter of the year and that in year-on-year comparison there are 4,000 fewer unemployed in the community.
"We know that there is still much work to be done, but what is noteworthy is that the active population reaches 496,400 people, with an activity rate of 54.3 percent," she pointed out. At the same time, she considered "especially important" that "for the first time the female unemployment rate drops below 15 percent."
"There are 34,000 unemployed women, that is, about 5,200 fewer unemployed than a year ago, more than 196,600 women working... It is the second best historical record," she elaborated.
Likewise, she highlighted that Extremadura ranks as the fourth autonomous community where unemployment decreases the most in the third quarter and that the drop in unemployment in the last year is "seven times greater than the national average."
Guardiola's policies for employment and work-life balance
Núñez has emphasized that, for the PP, the good labor data that Extremadura is registering "is not by chance," but rather the result of the fact that, since María Guardiola's arrival at the presidency, "concrete measures" are being applied. Among them, she mentioned free education for children aged 0 to 3 and the Concilia Extremadura program, "because facilitating that Extremaduran families can reconcile also helps women access the labor market," she pointed out.
In relation to self-employed workers, she highlighted that in the last year the community has added 4,000 more self-employed, reaching a total of 77,800. "They are not numbers, they are people who raise the shutters of their businesses every morning and generate opportunities," she emphasized.
Therefore, she has valued measures promoted by Guardiola's Government such as the zero rate for collaborating family members, aid for generational change in businesses, and, for the first time, the zero rate for self-employed during sick leave, "so that a self-employed person can get sick without having to worry about the burden of their contributions." "It is a way to support those who sustain our economy," she pointed out.
In the industrial sector, the 'popular' parliamentarian has highlighted that this sector is also "pulling the cart" of employment in Extremadura, with 44,300 people employed, which represents 3,300 more workers than a year ago and an increase of over 8 percent, "it is the highest percentage among the large sectors."
"We have to take advantage of this evolution to attract investment, to promote training, and to create more opportunities in our land," the 'popular' insisted.
Tax cuts and economic model
In the same vein, Margarita Núñez has underscored the commitment of María Guardiola's Executive to a policy of tax cuts. "Our commitment is to continue working to generate more employment and opportunities, and to achieve this it is essential to support those who work, those who undertake, and those who invest. And that is why Extremadura will have the lowest personal income tax in Spain," she said.
She recalled that, since the arrival of the PP to the Junta, four tax cuts have already been approved in the region, in contrast to the model of "higher tax pressure" that she attributes to the PSOE.
"In contrast to the PSOE's model of higher tax pressure, we defend that the people of Extremadura have more money in their pockets and that companies have better conditions to invest and to hire," he has pointed out.
As he has insisted, Guardiola's model "is based on growth, on stability, on tax cuts, and on strengthening public services."