Molina, Oscar

The COVID-19 crisis had a significant impact on wages and wage setting across Europe in 2020. The uncertain economic scenario, together with the difficulties inherent in online bargaining, led to a general postponement of collective agreements to 2021, especially at company level. Real wages maintained a positive trend during 2020 in most EU countries, with just modest increases, while higher increases were observed in the public sector.

A Constitutional Court ruling on the dismissal of workers who are on justified sick leave and the derogation of the controversial 2012 labour market reform are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Spain in the fourth quarter of 2019.

This report sets out to describe what labour market segmentation is and why it is problematic for the labour market and society, as well as disadvantaged groups. It takes a broad view of the term to examine the situation that arises when the divergence in working conditions between different groups of workers is attributable to factors other than differentials in human capital levels.

The caretaker government’s efforts to tackle precarious employment, wage increases in a slowing economy, and the impact of the political stalemate on social dialogue are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Spain in the third quarter of 2019.

Record numbers of workers making social security contributions, rising average income levels, persistent inequality in the labour market and non-compliance with the new minimum wage are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Spain in the second quarter of 2019.

The government’s efforts to achieve equality in terms of parental leave, a new decree to tackle precarious work and the approval of thousands of new public sector posts are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Spain in the first quarter of 2019.

An increase in the minimum wage, a new plan to tackle youth unemployment and a significant wage increase for public sector employees are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Spain in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The new government appointed in June 2018 has given new momentum to social dialogue, with the launching of several tripartite tables for negotiation and the signature of a Plan for Decent Work. An important element of this plan consists in strengthening the Labour Inspectorate, that trade unions attach a key role in fighting the increase in occupational accidents. The commitment of the new executive with social dialogue is well reflected with the new pensions index system that intends to negotiate with social partners before bringing a proposal to the Parliament.

A peak-level wage agreement, a rise in the pension rate and an important ruling for platform workers are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Spain in the second quarter of 2018.

A new agreement regarding public sector employment, Spain’s first feminist general strike, and protests by pensioners are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Spain in the first quarter of 2018.