The Spanish Association of Footwear Component Companies (AEC), UGT-FICA and CCOO signed the new provincial collective agreement in Elche on September 22. It applies to companies in Alicante province producing shoe lasts, heels, soles, insoles and plastic wedges and will remain in force from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028.
Under the agreement, wages will increase by 4 % in 2026, retroactive to January 1. A further 3 % increase is scheduled for 2027 and 2.5 % for 2028. The agreement also provides for additional adjustments of up to 1.5 % if annual inflation exceeds the agreed thresholds in 2027 or 2028.
The annual working time is set at 1,784 effective hours, while the maximum standard working week remains 40 hours. Employees are entitled to 30 calendar days or 22 working days of annual leave. The agreement also updates provisions on family-related leave and work-life balance.
The new agreement additionally covers digital disconnection, data protection and the use of professional devices. It includes provisions relating to automated decision-making systems, artificial intelligence, algorithms and monitoring tools where these can affect employment, work organisation or performance assessment. Measures concerning equal treatment, anti-discrimination, professional training and workplace responses to severe weather events are also included.
A joint commission will oversee the interpretation and implementation of the agreement, while a new sector observatory is intended to monitor economic and industrial developments during its term. Following the signing, the agreement still has to complete the formal registration, deposit and official publication process.
