Introduction
Working conditions are controlled by the 1984 Workers’ Statute and other related agreements such as collective terms, an employee’s individual employment contract and an employer’s in-house rules.
Employees are protected by this statute prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status, age, race, social status, religious belief, political opinion and trade union membership. Discrimination is also illegal on grounds of mental or physical disability, providing a disabled person is able to perform the work required.
There has traditionally been an assumed link between an employment contract and a job for life. This situation has changed dramatically in recent years, during which Spain’s labour problems have been exacerbated by the unions’ uncompromising defence of rigid employment terms. Spain has the most rigid labour market in Europe and is a major headache to employers.
In spite of an agreement reached between the employers and unions in 1997, where unions reduced their entitlement to redundancy payments in return for permanent contracts, employers still hire 90 per cent of new employees on a temporary contract.
Inem
Spanish job centres are called the
INEM (Institute Nacional de Empleo). INEM operates 700 offices throughout Spain advertising both local and national positions. Vacancies in the local area are advertised on a bulletin board, together with some national positions requiring experience, training or qualifications.
INEM offices provide a comprehensive career resource library including Spanish company listings, trade publications and a wide range of reference books. In addition to offering a job placement service,
INEM also provides assistance to those wishing to start a business or be self-employed.
Speaking The Language
The most important requirement for anyone seeking employment or running a business is the ability to speak good Spanish. Regional languages and dialects cause problems for foreigners and Spaniards alike but if seeking to earn money, learning the language Castellano, or a regional variation, is the only option. Lack of a second language restricts business opportunities to within the English speaking community.
While English may be the language of international business, dealing with Spanish people, or fitting into a multilingual work environment requires an ability to converse in Spanish. Working in Spain for a multinational company, a UK company, or for one whose name is recognisable worldwide can offer security. However teams of Spanish nationals run Spanish branches of multinational companies and most of the work is conducted in their language. You need to fit in.