Díaz describes the employment data as "very positive" and advocates for intervention in the housing sector.

Second Vice President and Minister of Labor and Social Economy Yolanda Díaz described the Social Security affiliation and unemployment figures released Monday as "very positive," although she asserted that she "is not satisfied" and will continue working to reduce the unemployment rate in Spain.

"We are following a trend that has been the norm for all these months, and therefore, we continue to reduce unemployment with the lowest rate in 18 years," the first vice president emphasized in an interview on RNE's 'Las Mañanas', reported by Europa Press.

Díaz explained that the smaller drop in unemployment this July compared to previous years is due to the fact that, since the pandemic, hiring has been anticipated during holiday periods. "This has already been consolidated in the labor market, and this means we have different benchmarks," she noted, after highlighting that " historic " figures are being reached.

For her part, the Minister of Labor also highlighted that Spain currently has more than 22 million employed people , with an activity rate of almost 25 million.

"Four out of ten jobs in the European Union are created in Spain, and right now they are quality jobs, as wages have grown by 3.8%, that is, one point above inflation," he emphasized.

Despite this, the vice president has warned that the housing factor is placing Spain in a "brutal" inequality crisis. "Housing prices are already absolutely unbearable, not just in Madrid or Barcelona, but in any city in Galicia or anywhere in Extremadura," Díaz lamented.

In this regard, the Minister of Labor has advocated for intervening in housing prices and taking action against the eleven Popular Party communities "that are rebelling against the housing law." She also advocated " urgently tackling" the investment funds that control rentals in the country, "which are the ones truly playing with the lives of citizens."

In this context, the vice president stated that, after the summer, the government will continue to raise the minimum interprofessional wage (SMI) and continue to "improve" labor standards, with the intern status and parental leave.

Likewise, after the summer, work will be done on reducing working hours "while maintaining wages" and on modifying dismissal practices in Spain to align them with the European Social Charter.

In response to Junts' reluctance to reduce working hours, Díaz asserted that she has already spoken with Carles Puigdemont and met with him. "I speak frequently with Mr. Puigdemont, just as I speak with all the political leaders in this country except Vox," Díaz stated.