It was billed as the 'World Day for Decent Work' and is a precursor to much larger public protests due in less than a month from now.

The main unions in Spain are demanding an increase in wages across the board, for those working in all employment sectors.

Spiraling inflation has meant many people's salaries have fallen in real terms.

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Anger towards big business

Their anger is directed towards the organizations that represent private companies, as they believe they could do more to help their employees ahead of corporate interests.

Pepe Alvarez, head of the UGT Union in Spain, tells CGTN Europe that putting the financial squeeze on the working and middle classes was bad for the economy overall.

"Companies need to raise their employees' salaries, use part of the profits they make for that," he says. 

"That's the only way, because if salaries don't grow, it will be hard for people to spend money on anything. The people that keep the economy and the money flowing are the workers and middle class."

Spain's inflation nightmare

Spain is suffering from Europe's inflation crisis more than its European neighbors, according to Eurostat data.

The country experienced double-digit inflation rates throughout the summer. That was compounded by the fact that Spain has some of the lowest average wages in Western Europe.

"People are more and more affected by inflation increases," one protester told CGTN Europe. 

"Salaries are not increasing in comparison to inflation, and you can feel that in your pocket every day," he said.

Another woman added that companies were making huge profits and should therefore be able to pay their workers what they deserve. 

"They should stop making excuses and just raise salaries," she said. 

Europe's cost-of-living crisis has also been fueled by soaring energy costs, which make retail and supply chains more costly, and in turn, pushes consumer prices up.

The unions want their wages to be kept in line with inflation, but some economists feel that will start a wage-price spiral and could result in the inflation rate soaring even higher.

What is clear is that there is no immediate solution for those most in need, and with winter approaching there seems to be more discontent on the way.