Talks between the Spain's minority socialist government, unions and business leaders over labour reforms ended without agreement today, raising the prospect of a deal between government and parliamentary allies.
The government will present a working document on the proposed reforms, which aim to make hiring and firing easier, at tomorrow's cabinet meeting, after which the unions and business leaders will have a final chance to express their opinions.
"Talks ended after 11 hours without an agreement," said a Labour Ministry spokesman. But he added that the government would continue to work to get as full a deal as it could until the last possible moment.
Economists consider labour market reforms, along with bank restructuring and reducing the deficit, essential to solving Spain's long-term economic problems and pulling the country out of its worst recession in decades.
Reuters