Government confident opposition will back job reform

Spain's government is confident that the main opposition Popular Party (PP) will back the labour reforms due to be ratified in Parliament on Tuesday, Economy Minister Elena Salgado said on local radio.

"I believe the government has been talking with the PP and its vote is already decided on. We are confident the PP will support the reforms so we can get through today's process and then continue to negotiate the project into law" Salgado said in an interview with Onda Cero radio.

The labour reform is seen as key to restoring economic health to a country with one in five jobless, giving breathing space to the jaded ruling Socialists.