May 14 (Reuters) - Spain's main newspapers unanimously criticised a public servants strike called for June 2 as the protest against austerity measures may jeopardise Spain's long-awaited labour reform.
An overhaul of rigid labour-market laws, scheduled by the end of May, is considered vital to boost stagnant growth.
Some newspapers suggest the government should hike taxes as a balancing measure to soothe upset workers after wage and pension cuts.
EL PAIS, leading left-leaning newspaper
Unions should act with more responsibility, particularly with regard to a possible general strike and its implications for future growth.
'The unions have to modify their reactions to salvage the labour reform and economic recovery,' one columnist said.
ABC, the most conservative daily
The government's next move will probably be to hike taxes for the middle classes and the rich.
'The austerity plan is not enough to plug the deficit hole,' a columnist said.
EL MUNDO, widely read, close to opposition
A tax hike is not the answer, it says. The rich always avoid paying more and that's why those people who already pay high taxes who will once again suffer.
'What's the point in hanging out to dry those tax payers who are already paying a lot of taxes. There is no eocnomic logic to this,' the paper's editorial said.
EXPANSION, top financial daily
Talks more about the risks to the labour market reform, which is seen as key to an economic recovery.
'The drastic cuts announced by the government will appease the markets but only for a short time,' the paper's editorial said.
'But real recovery can only be measured in terms of job creation,' for which a reform of the labour market is vital.
(reporting by Judy MacInnes; editing by Angus MacSwan) Keywords: EUROZONE SPAIN/ (judith.macinnes@thomsonreuters.com; 34 91 585 8340; Reuters Messaging: judith.macinnes.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
An overhaul of rigid labour-market laws, scheduled by the end of May, is considered vital to boost stagnant growth.
Some newspapers suggest the government should hike taxes as a balancing measure to soothe upset workers after wage and pension cuts.
EL PAIS, leading left-leaning newspaper
Unions should act with more responsibility, particularly with regard to a possible general strike and its implications for future growth.
'The unions have to modify their reactions to salvage the labour reform and economic recovery,' one columnist said.
ABC, the most conservative daily
The government's next move will probably be to hike taxes for the middle classes and the rich.
'The austerity plan is not enough to plug the deficit hole,' a columnist said.
EL MUNDO, widely read, close to opposition
A tax hike is not the answer, it says. The rich always avoid paying more and that's why those people who already pay high taxes who will once again suffer.
'What's the point in hanging out to dry those tax payers who are already paying a lot of taxes. There is no eocnomic logic to this,' the paper's editorial said.
EXPANSION, top financial daily
Talks more about the risks to the labour market reform, which is seen as key to an economic recovery.
'The drastic cuts announced by the government will appease the markets but only for a short time,' the paper's editorial said.
'But real recovery can only be measured in terms of job creation,' for which a reform of the labour market is vital.
(reporting by Judy MacInnes; editing by Angus MacSwan) Keywords: EUROZONE SPAIN/ (judith.macinnes@thomsonreuters.com; 34 91 585 8340; Reuters Messaging: judith.macinnes.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.