The family business today called on the Government for "moderation and dialogue to build a framework of stable relations." It was during the opening speech of the XXVI National Congress of Family Business given today in Bilbao by the president of the IEF, Andrés Sendagorta. The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, did not participate in the meeting for the fifth consecutive year. The last time he did so was in 2018. The businessman also wanted to issue a warning in the midst of the investiture negotiations about the need to use the "constitutional framework" as the ecosystem in which to act.
The president of the business lobby claimed to avoid "polarization." In recent years, the family business has felt attacked by comments from members of the Sánchez Government in which they criticized different Spanish businessmen and, in addition, the Executive has increased taxation of the sector with, for example, the new tax on great fortunes or the increase in social contributions.
"It is necessary to encourage employment, and taxing it does not seem like the best way to achieve it," reflected the president of the association who has openly asked to review "taxation to ensure, together, that the net salary that reaches the workers' pockets is as close as possible to the gross cost assumed by companies".
Sendagorta, who also presides over Sener, has criticized the Government's educational policy. In his opinion, "more time is spent in our public debate highlighting ideological features than supporting the real objectives that our educational programs should pursue."
The businessman regretted that there are different profiles that are not found in the market such as engineers but also personnel for the hospitality sector.
The Family Business Institute has also claimed its role in society, which it has believed is not always shared by everyone: "that legitimate pride that business families have for the work done must be shared by society and, specifically, by our rulers." ".
Regarding the economic situation, Sendagorta has assured that the main imbalance is unemployment, which is also the biggest cause of inequality in Spain.
On the opening day, the president of Social Security, José Luis Escrivá, in a brief welcome speech praised the role of family businesses in job creation and the application of corporate social responsibility measures.
The inauguration ceremony was closed by King Felipe, who has asked to facilitate development in the "most isolated or distant from urban centers" territories. In his opinion, "quality services, education, health and infrastructure" must be improved.
