Spanish government pushes for labour reforms

The Spanish government today tried to sell crucial labour reforms to sceptical opposition parties, while a major union promised to hold a general strike in protest over the package.

The ruling Socialist Party said a team led by labour minister Celestino Corbacho would meet opposition parties to garner support for changes designed to loosen up rigid hiring and firing rules, encourage companies to take on workers and resurrect a moribund economy with an unemployment rate of 20%.