zara protests — zara protests — Workers at Zara are gearing up for protests on Black Friday, demanding the reinstatement of a profit-sharing scheme that was removed after the pandemic. This significant sales day, falling on November 28, will see demonstrations outside Zara stores in seven European countries, as announced by the European Works Council for Inditex, Zara’s parent company.
Zara protests: Coordinated Efforts Across Seven Countries
The protests are being coordinated by Spain’s CCOO union, in collaboration with unions from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and Portugal. Union representatives plan to gather in major cities, aiming to draw attention to their demands during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
Call for Fair Profit Distribution
Rosa Galan, a representative for CCOO at Inditex, stated, “We are once again asking that a company that has huge profits, which are the result of the work of its staff, distribute those profits fairly.” This statement highlights the workers’ frustration over the absence of profit-sharing, especially as Inditex has reported substantial financial growth since the pandemic.
Strong Financial Performance
Despite the protests, Inditex has experienced a remarkable recovery, with shares doubling in value over the past three years. The company has benefitted from a surge in sales growth as consumers return to shopping in physical stores.
The Significance of Black Friday
Black Friday, which marks the last Friday of November, serves as a crucial point for retailers to attract shoppers and clear out inventory before the holiday season. It has also become a day for retail workers to raise awareness about their demands, often resulting in strikes and protests worldwide.
Recent Protests and Wage Negotiations
Last year, on the eve of Black Friday, Spanish Zara workers protested for higher wages, leading to a successful negotiation that resulted in a 20 per cent wage increase for store workers in Spain three months later. This history of activism indicates a growing movement among retail employees seeking fair treatment and compensation.
As protests approach, the exact number of participating workers remains unclear. However, the collective actions across Europe signal a strong desire among Zara employees to reclaim their share of the profits generated by their labour.
