Spain's two largest trade unions, the Workers' Commissions (CCOO) and the General Union of Workers (UGT), have agreed to stage a 24-hour general strike later this autumn in response to the country's deepening housing crisis, backing growing nationwide protests over soaring housing costs and inadequate wages.

If carried out as planned, the action will mark Spain's first general strike in 14 years, the first since 2012.

In a joint statement, the unions said they had joined the call for a nationwide strike launched by the Tenants' Unions Confederation after mass demonstrations in Madrid and dozens of other cities demanding urgent action on housing affordability. The strike date will be finalized following consultations with tenants' organizations and other social groups and must also be ratified by the unions' governing bodies.

Unions demand decent wages and housing rights

CCOO and UGT said they support the general strike to defend "the right to housing and wages that make it possible to pay for it with dignity," stressing that housing should not become a privilege reserved for a few.

The unions are seeking wage increases of between 4 and 7 per cent and called for a broad social and political consensus to tackle the housing crisis. They also presented a ten-point housing plan that includes expanding permanent public housing, limiting rent prices and ensuring the effective implementation of Spain's Housing Rights Law across all regions.

The unions urged workers to participate both in workplaces and on the streets, pledging to continue mobilization until "housing ceases to be a privilege and wages allow people to live with dignity."

Housing crisis deepens political turmoil

The strike announcement came days after Spain's Parliament rejected two government housing decrees designed to curb evictions and ease pressure on renters, triggering a political crisis and intensifying public protests across the country. Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in more than 50 cities, with many calling for a nationwide general strike.

Following the parliamentary defeat, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced snap general elections for 29 November, saying he would seek a renewed mandate after lawmakers blocked his government's key housing reforms. The housing crisis has since become the dominant issue in Spain's election campaign.

The minority left-wing coalition government is expected to continue discussing additional measures to address the housing crisis as pressure mounts over rising rents, limited housing supply and growing public dissatisfaction.(ILKHA)