A total of 550 people gathered in Girona on Thursday at noon to demand educational and labor parity for the 0-3 year old cycle. The mobilization, called by the platform Som Infància, marched through the city center with the aim of pressuring the Departament d'Educació.
The protest demands that this early childhood be recognized as a full educational stage, with the same institutional value as subsequent preschool courses. Participants demand universality and free service to eliminate economic barriers affecting families.
The sector claims decent wages and fewer ratios
The protesters warn about job insecurity in a highly feminized sector. They denounce that there are workers who only receive the Interprofessional Minimum Wage (SMI) despite the responsibility of their task. The platform requests an increase in staff and a reduction in current ratios.
"Today is a historic day because for the first time we are all uniting to defend the educational stage from 0 to 3 years old" - Imma Anguita, spokesperson for Som Infància
Imma Anguita highlighted the diversity of ownerships existing at present. She pointed out the presence of municipal nurseries, Generalitat centers, and private options. The spokeswoman asked to unify criteria to establish a common dignified salary independently of the center's management.
The march began its route in plaça del Vi. The attendees crossed plaça de Catalunya and avinguda de Sant Francesc until reaching Gran Via de Jaume I. The procession ended in front of the Spanish government's sub-delegation to deliver their demands.
Municipal strike exceeds 78% adherence
The strike call registered on the same Thursday had majority support in the local public network. The Ajuntament de Girona confirmed that participation reached 78.8% of the staff in the municipal public nursery schools in the city.