Andorra Union Slams 'Structural Inequality' in Private Sector Labor Rights Defense

The Unió Sindical d’Andorra (USdA) has criticised a "structural inequality" in the private sector labour market, where a small number of worker representatives bear the burden of defending rights without adequate structures or funding.

The union's statement draws on recent input from its affiliates, including drivers and the company committee at Coopalsa, who face major hurdles in handling labour disputes or court proceedings. Company committees lack any economic allocation or independent means to cover litigation expenses, leaving members—who must juggle their normal duties—to manage prolonged and costly processes on their own.

USdA connected these challenges to a recent Andorran Constitutional Court ruling, which struck down provisions in collective dispute legislation requiring mandatory arbitration in certain labour situations. The judgment affirms full judicial access for workers, unions, employers, and business associations, without alternative mechanisms that sidestep court review.

Yet the union argues this legal progress clashes with private sector realities: weak union organisation, marked by just one syndicate with notable presence; sparse company committees; and minimal collective bargaining across key industries. Existing committees operate precariously, without budgets for legal counsel or release time, creating real obstacles in judicial costs and preparation that block effective representation.

Secretary general Gabriel Ubach likened the imbalance to "David against Goliath," noting business groups benefit from robust setups and public backing—like €600,000 yearly to the Chamber of Commerce—while unions get none. Unlike neighbouring countries, Andorra offers no institutional assistance, such as subsidies, workspaces, or facilities. Ubach challenged funding unions through contributions from workers "who can't make ends meet," calling it a source of widespread frustration.

He highlighted the arbitration ruling as a tipping point, with the government previously backing awards now deemed unconstitutional, forcing workers to restart expensive cases against well-resourced firms with "battalions of advisors." Despite laws mandating committees in companies with more than 20 employees, implementation falters after a decade, due to these resource gaps.

USdA has urged the government led by Xavier Espot and Consell General deputies to introduce targeted steps: practical access to labour justice, enhanced workplace representation, genuine promotion of collective bargaining, and institutional aid—including finance and physical spaces—to build stronger private sector unions. Absent such changes, it warns, labour rights remain theoretical, sustaining an uneven system that erodes balanced workplace democracy.