Andorran Union Leader Slams Government as 'Headless Chicken' Over Wages

Gabriel Ubach, secretary general of the Andorran Trade Union (USdA), has accused the government of operating "like a headless chicken" in its wage policies, calling for immediate across-the-board salary increases to combat housing speculation, eroding purchasing power and youth emigration.

In a video circulated on social media, Ubach criticised Economy, Labour and Housing Minister Conxita Marsol's comments on Monday at the opening of the new Department of Employment and Labour offices. Marsol suggested raising the minimum salary threshold for hiring foreign workers via the general quota as a way to balance labour needs and curb growth. Ubach highlighted the contradiction with the parliamentary majority's rejection weeks earlier of a study on legally mandating annual Consumer Price Index (IPC) adjustments for all private-sector wages. "It's unacceptable to say one thing today and another tomorrow," he said, labelling the approach "aberrant" and improvised.

With this year's quota—approved in late April—exhausted since last week, companies cannot hire externally until a new allocation in autumn, except for strategic professions soon to open. Ubach argued that raising only the minimum salary ignores local workers facing housing costs up to €2,500 monthly for flats, €800 for rooms or sofas, and dismissed lower rents of €500-600 as the real issue by the government. He blamed policies including the foreign investment law and subsequent omnibus reforms for fuelling speculation, Andorra's "most serious problem."

The union leader said these issues punish Andorran citizens, workers, retirees and youth, who leave due to lack of prospects amid lost purchasing power. He renewed demands for urgent pay rises across all salaries, especially in the private sector, early elections to end "this agony that leads nowhere," and a "solid government that listens and knows how to govern," rather than the Democratic majority, Citizens Committed and United for Progress acting "with their backs turned."

On Tuesday, Ubach addressed a separate housing crisis incident, insisting a case of someone reportedly sleeping in Parc Central park was "no anecdote" but symptomatic of an "unsustainable" residential situation. Responding to Social Affairs Minister Trini Marín's explanation that the individual was known to services but could not be forced to accept aid, Ubach said it came as no surprise. "When rooms and sofas rent for €800, what do we expect?" he asked, warning of potential summer repeats due to weather but urging bold housing policies so youth can stay and elderly avoid leaving over rents. He noted daily cases of 10 people sharing two- or three-bedroom flats and repeated calls for a definition of affordable housing after three years.

Regarding CASS board elections, Ubach maintained pension viability requires directing all contributions to retirement and funding healthcare through taxes, dismissing fiscal pressure claims as misleading since higher contributions already increase payments.