General Strike in Spain Over Housing Crisis Draws Around Four Million People

A general strike was observed across Spain demanding action on the growing housing crisis and sky-high rents. On Wednesday (11 November), around four million people — one-fifth of the country's total workforce — actively took part in the strike, braving two powerful storms named 'Charles' and 'Bruna'.

It was the first general strike on such a large scale in the European country in 14 years.

With less than three weeks to go before Spain's early general election, the strike was called by the country's two largest labour unions — the General Union of Workers (UGT) and the Workers' Commissions (CCOO). Alongside the two organisations, which represent more than one million workers, tenants' organisations angered by rent hikes and evictions also gave the programme their full support.

According to the unions, the programme remained largely peaceful during the day, but after evening fell, clashes broke out between protesters and police in parts of the capital Madrid and in Barcelona.

In Barcelona, furniture was set on fire in the streets after the main march ended. In Madrid's central Plaza de España area, riot police used foam bullets, tear gas and pepper spray to disperse protesters.

Police said at least 1,044 incidents took place across the country during the strike, including blockades in office and industrial areas and dustbins being set alight. At least 73 people were arrested in these incidents.

The labour unions, however, alleged that the police use of tear gas and batons was 'disproportionate' and that at least 20 protesters were injured. The unions announced they would file criminal complaints over the incident.

Amid fears of protests and unrest, big brands such as Primark, H&M and Pull&Bear closed their stores on Madrid's main shopping street, the Gran Vía, under a heavy riot police presence. In Barcelona too, many shops were seen boarded up with wooden planks for security.

The trade unions claimed the strike was a success. Support was strongest in coastal areas, where the housing crisis is most severe. However, stormy weather forced organisers to postpone afternoon protest marches in several southern cities, including the southern port city of Cádiz.

According to Spain's central bank, the country currently has a shortage of around 750,000 homes, which could exceed one million by 2028. With people unable to afford to buy homes, pressure on rented housing has grown.

According to Spain's Youth Council, the average rent in the country is 1,176 euros (about 163,622 taka), which is equal to about 98.7 percent of a young worker's average monthly salary.

Jesús González, a 36-year-old IT worker at a Madrid hospital, expressed his anger, saying that even at 36 he still cannot live in a place of his own, and that with rents and prices rising the way they are, the situation has become unbearable.

Ángela de Miguel, vice president of Spain's main business organisation CEOE, believes the strike will prove counterproductive. She told state broadcaster TVE that small businesses are also struggling to hire staff because of the housing crisis. Instead of striking, she said, the real solution to the crisis is to build more homes and cut taxes on construction and home-buying.