Again.
Again, it is up to us young people to suffer a crisis, the second in 10 years. Our generation, the so-called millennials (born between the late 80s and mid-90s) is considered the most trained and prepared generation that has ever existed. We dominate technology, science, speak languages, and absorb all the knowledge of any area. But, again, we have to suffer the blows of an economic crisis that has already arrived.
This time, the economic decline will come as a result of a terrible health crisis that nobody wanted and that is ravaging the world, but when it ends it will leave us with a labor and economic desert that will especially affect young people, again.
We are the most prepared generation with the worst working conditions that have ever existed, we were 'mileuristas' (earning around 1000 euros), hence our average age of emancipation was around 30-31 years old, yes, I write these lines in the past. I do it because this is what we were, and now, where are we going? Now, with an uncertain future, with a probably lower income, what is the new paradigm we are facing?
Young people have not adapted to living precariously, we have had no choice but to do so. We have not chosen to continue living in our parents' house, it is what we have had to do because of an obsolete system that has not adapted either in the educational, professional framework, nor in the knowledge, nor even in the way of thinking and acting of this generation, which is no longer future, which is present.
That is why we must rebuild the economy from a base salary that allows young people to access decent housing in the Canary Islands, an element that is so basic and so scarce in the short term. We have to anticipate the consequences of the future, establish economic patterns that allow the minimum of family, labor and social independence.
Establish a basic youth emancipation income that supplements the low salary that young people will have, so that they can become independent, create family nuclei that secondarily bring economic growth with them, an increase in the birth rate and an improvement in the whole society. The virtues of this income would be many: it would stimulate consumption, generate opportunities for all, reduce poverty, etc. In short, it would move the economy and in these times that are beginning to run that is like a rainy day in the middle of a drought.
There have been attempts to carry it out by the Spanish State. It worked for a few years, until in 2013 they canceled this aid, which cost 210? per month to those young people who did not exceed 22,000? per year. But this is not where the debate should go.
The Canary Islands is an Ultraperipheral Region and as such is covered by certain issues that due to distance the European Union, (with the demand of the Spanish State and the Government of the Canary Islands) must respond to the uncertain future that is presented to us young people in the Canary Islands. However, in accordance with Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the specific measures and exceptions provided for in EU legislation must help the Canary Islands to address the main challenges they face due to their remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult climate and topography, and economic dependence on a small number of products.
That is why we urgently need a basic income that ensures and increases the quality of life, which together with public health, 75% discount on plane tickets (our only way to travel) and economic aid that enables the emancipation and autonomy of the youngest, consolidate the welfare state in the Canary Islands as fundamental and immovable pillars of a modern society, with institutions working for the people.
Again, no.
This time, let's take a step forward.
David Toledo Niz.- National General Secretary of the Nationalist Youth of the Canary Islands
