The deputy of the Canarian Nationalist Group (CCa), Cristina Calero, demanded in the Economy Committee of the Parliament of the Canary Islands "certainty and stability for the self-employed and small businesses." The nationalist parliamentarian focused on the new scenario of uncertainty generated by the state negotiation on the contribution brackets planned for 2026 and by the sustained increase in costs.
Calero highlighted that the Canary Islands is the Autonomous Community with the highest increase in self-employed workers in the entire country, reaching record figures in 2025 with ten new registrations every day. "Without a doubt, this is great news, but we must ask ourselves at what cost," he warned.
The deputy explained that 60% of the self-employed do not have employees and 40% would like to hire, but cannot afford the labor costs, which have increased by 25% in the last six years. "A reality that especially affects micro-enterprises, which constitute the majority of the Canary Islands' business fabric," Calero added.
"Insularity and additional costs limit the competitiveness of business owners"
In her speech, the deputy for Lanzarote insisted that insularity and cost overruns "limit the competitiveness of businesses compared to other territories." She also highlighted other obstacles such as the bureaucratic burden, the limited supply of training and innovation, and the difficulties in accessing financing.
The Deputy of the Nationalist Group highlighted the important role that administrations can play "in facilitating access to resources." In addition, Calero listed the challenges faced by the self-employed "such as Artificial Intelligence or innovation itself." In this regard, she asked the Government for "improvements in training so that they can face the technological race we are experiencing."