The Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, indicated this Wednesday that the reincorporation of workers affected by a Temporary Employment Regulation File (ERTE) in the Canary Islands is 20 points below the national average, so she understands that the archipelago "still needs protection." Specifically, more than 100,000 workers in the archipelago still have their employment suspended.
Given the recognition of this situation and the archipelago's dependence on tourism, she has admitted that this makes it "probably necessary" for the Canary Islands to "continue with this protection", although she did not want to advance anything in this regard because the tripartite commission has to meet soon to analyze which sectors the aid will be directed to at this time. "The effort of the Government of Spain and the commitment to the Canary Islands has been immense," she added.
In any case, Díaz wanted to convey "tranquility and certainty" to the political representatives, as well as economic and social agents of the Canary Islands during her visit to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where she recalled that ERTEs are extended until September 30, to which she added that "for the first time" and "specifically" the archipelago is contemplated in Royal Decree 24/20 -after the employment agreement with social agents- regarding the specificities and needs that its singularity may entail.
In this regard, and clarifying that "wherever it is needed, the protection of companies and workers will be maintained", she indicated that in the Canary Islands protection has been given to 309,000 people, which in structural and Covid-19 benefits have reported a payroll from the Ministry of Labor, without contributions, of 1,192 million euros, which "is a very important percentage"; and in the month of July, the payroll amounted to 192 million without Social Security contributions, which demonstrates "certain commitments."
Likewise, Díaz highlighted that ERTEs are designed to maintain employment, which differentiates it from how the 2008 crisis was faced, characterized by "mass layoffs," since now "more than 550,000 companies and more than 3.4 million workers have been saved."
