Parliament of Catalonia approves new Catalan law on chambers of commerce

The Parliament of Catalonia has approved a new law regulating the chambers of commerce, industry, services and navigation and their General Council. The law updates the Catalan framework in force since 2002 to adapt it to the 2014 state legislation, and defines the functions, organization and financing of these public-law corporations.

The law was passed with 114 votes in favor, 11 abstentions and 9 votes against, after receiving the support of the PSC, Junts, ERC and PP. Comuns and the CUP voted against, while Vox abstained, according to reports on the vote. The Statutory Guarantees Council had previously concluded that the text complied with the Constitution and the Statute of Autonomy.

Public and private financing

The regulation provides for a mixed financing system. The public component may come from the Government of Catalonia’s budgets and from commissioned functions, agreements or other instruments. The private component may be generated through the chambers’ activities, services and management of their assets.

The Government of Catalonia and the General Council of the Chambers must formalize a three-year, multi-year agreement. The planned public financing increases progressively: 3 million euros in the first year, 5 million in the second and up to 7 million in the third. Reports place this schedule in 2026, 2027 and 2028; the amounts correspond to the planned financing, not to a guarantee of continuity beyond the established period.

Seats linked to voluntary contributions

At least two-thirds of the members of the plenary bodies must be elected by suffrage. The law also allows seats to be reserved for companies that make larger voluntary financial contributions, a formula known as “silver seats.”

This mechanism was one of the main points of controversy. Comuns and the CUP questioned whether it was compatible with the law and referred the text to the Statutory Guarantees Council. The body considered that the proposed composition objectively and reasonably reflected the diversity of the business community and did not violate the Constitution or the Statute of Autonomy.

Pimec welcomed the fact that the law clarifies the role of the chambers and organizes their relationship with other actors, but continues to oppose seats linked to contributions. The employers’ association has warned that they could alter the balance of representation resulting from the electoral process. This is an objection raised by the organization, not a conclusion of the Council’s opinion.

Institutional representation and social dialogue

The new law strengthens the chambers’ role as consultative and representative bodies that collaborate with public administrations on economic matters. It also regulates the General Council of the Chambers as a body for consultation and institutional cooperation.

The scope of this representation has been debated in relation to employers’ associations and trade unions. The president of the Chamber of Barcelona and Catalonia, Josep Santacreu, stated that the chambers do not intend to participate in social dialogue negotiations. The law, for its part, establishes that their functions must respect the powers of representation and participation legally assigned to employers’ and workers’ organizations, particularly in collective bargaining and social dialogue.

The approval completes the legislative update that had been pending since the state framework of 2014 came into force. Implementation of the new regulation will depend, among other things, on the development of the financing agreements and the rules governing the chambers’ operations under the approved text.