Thousands gather for union-organised protest against austerity measures
(11 Mar 2012) SHOTLIST 1. Wide of demonstration in central Madrid 2. Wide of protesters with flags and banners 3. Mid of demonstrators 4. Mid of banners reading (Spanish): "Cut banks and churches" 5. Mid of demonstrators with flags 6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Marta Lois, 39-year-old demonstrator: "Why are we protesting? Because they are cutting our rights like never before, never. It has taken so many years to get here, and suddenly they take it all away just like that. Plus, this is a reform that is not going to create jobs, so it is not even justified." 7. Mid of protesters holding flags and banners 8. Mid of demonstration 9. Wide of thousands demonstrating STORYLINE Thousands of people marched through the Spanish capital on Sunday to protest against the government's tough new labour reforms and cuts. The demonstration in Madrid was part of mass rallies being held in 60 cities across Spain on Sunday, called by the country's main trade unions in protest over the recently approved reforms and austerity measures. The reforms, passed by decree last month and confirmed in Parliament on Thursday, slash the cost of firing workers and ease conditions under which they can be dismissed. "This is a reform that is not going to create jobs, so it is not even justified," said one protester. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's labour market overhaul is aimed at revitalising an ailing economy suffering the Eurozone's highest unemployment rate of near 23 percent. He has acknowledged the jobless rate is likely to rise beyond 24 percent this year despite the reforms, a point taken up by the unions, which argue that what is needed is a jobs package based on fiscal and financial incentives and a crackdown on fraud. Spain's economy deflated in 2008 with the collapse of a real estate bubble that had previously boosted Spain into becoming the EU's top job creator for a decade. Rajoy is determined to prove to investors that Spain will not require a bailout like Greece, Ireland and Portugal. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
