Yolanda Díaz announced on Friday that her ministry will “immediately” revoke the Merit in Work medals awarded to former CEOE president Gerardo Díaz Ferrán and former Caixanova general director Julio Fernández Gayoso, who have been convicted of various crimes. The Vice President of the Government emphasized that both individuals are “far from the exemplary conduct required for this distinction.” This decision comes more than two years after the Council of Ministers, at the proposal of Díaz’s department, approved the royal decree amending the regulations for granting these awards. Díaz Ferrán, who served as president of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations from 2007 to 2010, had been under scrutiny by the Ministry of Labor since then. He was convicted in various legal proceedings for crimes such as embezzlement, tax evasion, and misappropriation of funds in his management of Viajes Marsans, Viajes Crisol, and Rural Tours. The government of José María Aznar awarded him the medal in 1999. On the other hand, Fernández Gayoso, a former banker, was sentenced in 2015 for his involvement in the distribution of 22 million euros in early retirements for the top management of Novacaixagalicia, the entity resulting from the merger of Caixa Galicia and Caixanova, which was later rescued with 1.162 billion euros.
The change in the regulations for the awarding of medals and plaques for Merit in Work approved in February 2022 allows, in its article 10, the revocation of these distinctions when it is “established” that the conduct and trajectory of the decorated person or entity are “incompatible with the civic and professional exemplarity required for the award” and, particularly, when it is established that the beneficiary, before or after the award, “has been declared responsible for acts constituting a crime or administrative offense that, due to their nature and severity, are incompatible with the aforementioned civic and professional exemplarity.” The medal was created in 1926, disappeared during the II Republic, and was reinstated by the Franco regime in 1942. Among the recipients was the dictator himself, Francisco Franco, who was stripped of this distinction in July of last year under article 42 of the Democratic Memory Law, which allows for the review of awards and decorations for those who were part of the repressive apparatus of the dictatorship.
Yolanda Díaz’s decision to revoke the Merit in Work medals awarded to Gerardo Díaz Ferrán and Julio Fernández Gayoso, who have been convicted of various crimes, highlights the government’s commitment to upholding the exemplary conduct required for such distinctions. The revocation of these awards is in line with the revised regulations for granting these honors, which allow for the removal of awards from individuals who have been found guilty of criminal acts incompatible with the civic and professional exemplarity expected of recipients. The cases of Díaz Ferrán and Fernández Gayoso serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining integrity and ethical conduct in business and public service, as well as holding individuals accountable for their actions.
The decision to revoke the Merit in Work medals also underscores the government’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in the awarding of honors and recognitions. By taking this action, the Ministry of Labor sends a clear message that individuals who engage in illegal or unethical behavior will not be allowed to retain prestigious awards that symbolize excellence and integrity in the workplace. The revocation of these medals serves as a powerful deterrent to others who may be tempted to engage in misconduct in the future, and reinforces the need for individuals in positions of authority to act with the utmost professionalism and respect for the law.
The cases of Gerardo Díaz Ferrán and Julio Fernández Gayoso are just two examples of individuals who have been stripped of prestigious awards due to their criminal conduct. The government’s decision to revoke these awards demonstrates its commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity in public and private life. By holding individuals accountable for their actions, the government sends a strong message that unethical behavior will not be tolerated and that individuals who engage in criminal activities will face consequences for their actions. This decision also serves as a warning to others who may be tempted to violate the law that they will be held accountable for their actions and may face the loss of prestigious awards and recognitions as a result.
In conclusion, Yolanda Díaz’s announcement to revoke the Merit in Work medals awarded to Gerardo Díaz Ferrán and Julio Fernández Gayoso demonstrates the government’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability in public and private life. The revocation of these awards sends a powerful message that individuals who engage in criminal activities will be held accountable for their actions and may face consequences for their misconduct. By taking this action, the Ministry of Labor reinforces the importance of integrity and ethical behavior in the workplace and underscores the government’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in the awarding of honors and recognitions.
