Andorra Union Urges Co-Princes to Fix Labour Woes Before EU Deal

The Unió Sindical d’Andorra (USdA) has written to Andorra's Co-Princes, French President Emmanuel Macron and the Bishop of Urgell Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat, to voice deep concerns over the Principality's social, labour and democratic conditions.

In the publicly shared letter, the union attributes these issues to government policies that have favoured economic growth over social protections. It notes that Andorra has established a clear economic model but lacks one that adequately safeguards its people.

Key problems highlighted include a dismissal system that offers almost no protections, healthcare coverage tied to employment, weak worker representation and collective bargaining, no safety and hygiene delegates in workplaces, inadequate wages, and a housing crisis driving residents away. The USdA also points to the government's refusal to designate May 1 as an official holiday, viewing it as institutional disregard for labour rights.

The union links these challenges to Andorra's ongoing association agreement negotiations with the European Union, warning that labour support cannot be unconditional. Advancing economic integration while keeping subpar social and labour standards is unacceptable, it argues.

For backing the deal, the USdA demands concrete steps such as strengthening collective bargaining and worker representation, reforming dismissal rules for better safeguards, decoupling healthcare from jobs, effective housing policies, recognition of May 1 as a true public holiday, and gradual alignment with European social norms.

Without progress, the union reserves the right to oppose the agreement outright and organise street protests, refusing to endorse a process that overlooks workers' fundamental rights.

On democracy, the letter criticises limited voting rights for a significant portion of the population, highly restrictive citizenship access, and an electoral system that distorts representation, all of which undermine political legitimacy.

The USdA expresses regret over not being invited to meet the Co-Princes during Macron's recent visit, particularly at a dinner with authorities and civil society figures, which it saw as a chance to convey workers' realities directly. The union describes the social conflict as structural rather than temporary, urging institutional action to ensure Andorra's European future includes social rights.