Labour Market - Page 3
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Austrian Worker Wins €7,800 After 13 Years of Unpaid Overtime
After being dismissed from his job of 13 years, a 49-year-old Austrian technician secured over €7,800 in unpaid overtime and bonuses. The case highlights the importance of reviewing pay slips and acting quickly to claim outstanding wages.
Flexible Retirement Rules Change: More Options for Pensioners in Spain
Spain has overhauled its flexible retirement system. Pensioners can now work part-time or as self-employed while receiving a portion of their pension. The new rules expand eligibility and introduce financial incentives.
SEPE Expands ID Options, But Online Unemployment Claims Still Require Cl@ve or Certificate
Spain’s SEPE now recognizes temporary codes and contrast data for identification, but applying for unemployment benefits online still demands a digital certificate, DNIe, or Cl@ve. The change broadens access for some services, yet key procedures remain restricted.
SEPE Opens Access to €570 Unemployment Subsidy with Just 90 Days Worked
Workers in Spain who lose their jobs with as little as 90 days of contributions can now apply for a €570 monthly subsidy. The measure targets those without enough work history for standard unemployment benefits, but strict income and family criteria still apply.
Teachers’ Strike Set for September 8 as Talks Stall in Catalonia
Catalonia’s main education union confirms a strike on September 8. Negotiations with the government have stalled. The dispute centers on working conditions, class sizes, and language policy.
Worker Dies After Dumper Overturns in Madrid’s Tierno Galván Park
A 54-year-old worker died in Madrid’s Enrique Tierno Galván park after his dumper overturned. Emergency teams tried to revive him for 40 minutes. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
SEPE Can Refuse Unemployment Aid If Severance Exceeds Legal Limit
Receiving a severance package above the legal minimum can jeopardize eligibility for unemployment subsidies in Spain. SEPE counts any excess as income, even if it is not taxable. The 2026 income threshold for aid is set at €915.75 per month.
Driving Test Backlog Grows: 430,000 Await Practical Exam in Spain
Spain faces a mounting crisis as nearly half a million people with theory test approval remain stuck waiting for their practical driving exam. Disputes over examiner shortages and demand estimates have left many aspiring drivers in limbo, with regional disparities and new reforms adding to the uncertainty.
SEPE Tightens Penalties: Subsidy for Over-52s at Risk for Rule Breaches
Spain’s SEPE is enforcing stricter penalties for those receiving the over-52 unemployment subsidy. Repeated minor breaches can escalate to full loss of benefits, while fraud or undeclared income may trigger immediate termination. Here’s what beneficiaries need to know.
Spain Sees Surge in Silicosis Cases and €2.5 Million in Fines
Silicosis linked to artificial stone is rising sharply in Spain. Over €2.5 million in fines have been imposed on companies since 2019. Calls for a ban on artificial stone are growing as cases multiply.
Spain to Allow Pensioners to Work as Self-Employed While Receiving 25% of Pension
From August 2026, Spain will introduce a new flexible retirement scheme allowing pensioners to return to self-employment and receive 25% of their pension. The change comes with strict eligibility criteria and aims to modernize the way retirees can combine work and benefits.
Why a Bilbao Bricklayer Says Small €50 Jobs Are Sometimes Worth It
Marcos Silva, a Bilbao-based bricklayer, argues that taking on €50 jobs can make sense during slow periods. He highlights the realities of freelance construction work in Spain, where staying active and covering costs often outweighs waiting for bigger contracts.
Madrid Approves Major Tech District in Valdebebas with 23,800 Jobs Planned
Madrid is set to transform 85 hectares in Valdebebas into a new technology district, with the potential to create nearly 24,000 jobs. The project, still in early planning stages, could reshape the city’s innovation landscape and public spaces.
Basque Court Ruling Triples Unemployment Benefit for Domestic Worker
A domestic worker in the Basque Country has seen her unemployment benefit extended from 180 to 480 days after a court recognized nearly 1,000 days of prior service. The ruling challenges Spain’s previous exclusion of household employees from full jobless protection and could signal broader changes.
SEPE Halts Pension Contributions for Over-52s in Full-Time Jobs
From November 2024, Spaniards over 52 who combine their unemployment subsidy with a full-time job will see SEPE stop contributing to their pension. The change affects how future pensions are calculated and alters the financial landscape for older jobseekers.
Spain Sets New Retirement Age Rules for 1962 Generation Starting 2027
From 2027, Spaniards born in 1962 face new retirement thresholds as the 2011 reform takes full effect. The rules will impact eligibility, pension amounts, and the timing of retirement, with notable differences by gender and occupation.
Catalonia Faces Economic Strain from Low-Paid Social Services Sector
A new report highlights how low wages in Catalonia's social services create a cycle of underfunding. The system struggles to cover public costs, raising concerns for the region's economy and future welfare.
Firefighters in Castilla y León Face Crisis After Record Wildfires
Castilla y León’s firefighters report critical shortages, lack of training, and unsafe conditions after Spain’s worst wildfire season. Unions and workers warn of inhumane workloads and urgent risks.
Barcelona Court Orders Tax Refund After Illegal Embargo on Low Income
A Barcelona court has ruled that the Catalan Tax Agency must return funds seized from a man whose income was below the minimum wage. The decision highlights legal protections for vulnerable residents. Interest will be paid on the refunded amounts.
Spain Now Counts Up to 3 Years of Family Care Toward Retirement
Spanish workers can now count up to three years spent caring for family members as fully credited toward their state pension. The change, in effect since March 2023, aims to recognize unpaid care work—especially by women—and offers new security for those stepping away from their jobs to support relatives.
EU Launches North Africa Recruitment Drive to Tackle Truck Driver Shortage
Facing a severe shortage of truck drivers, the EU is investing nearly €6 million in a program to train and relocate drivers from Morocco and Egypt to Italy and Romania. Only a third of trainees will be selected for jobs, as the sector struggles to fill over 500,000 vacancies.
Shepherd’s Warning: Livestock Beat 100 Workers in Fire Prevention
Shepherd Jesús Sola from Tortuera claims that sheep and cattle are more effective than large crews in clearing flammable brush. As wildfires remain a threat, his call for support to livestock farmers highlights the challenges of generational renewal and rural survival.
Morocco Relaxes Visas for Africans While Criticising Spain’s Migrant Policy
Morocco has eased visa rules for several African countries, aiming to boost regional ties. At the same time, Rabat openly challenges Spain’s approach to regularising undocumented migrants. The shift comes amid rising migration pressures at the Ceuta border.
Retirees in Spain Can Boost Pensions by 25% When Returning to Work
From August 2026, Spanish pensioners who return to part-time work can receive up to 25% more on top of their previous pension. The new law also opens this option to certain self-employed workers, changing how retirement and employment can be combined.
Hundreds of Migrant Minors in Canary Islands Refuse Transfer to Mainland
Over a thousand migrant minors in the Canary Islands formally opposed being moved to mainland Spain. Many had already built strong ties, found work, or were close to finishing studies on the islands.
Gonzalo Bernardos: Early Retirement at 55 Is Not an Option for Most
Economist Gonzalo Bernardos has warned that retiring at 55, 56 or 57 is nearly impossible under Spain’s current pension laws. Only a handful of exceptional cases qualify, while most workers must wait until at least 65 or face significant reductions.
Valencian Teachers Face €8,000 in Fines After Public Education Strike
Thirteen administrative fines have been issued after protests in Valencia. Most penalties target teachers, with unions now offering legal aid. The crackdown follows recent reforms on classroom debate.
Finland Offers Permanent Teaching Jobs to Spaniards With Salaries Up to €2,700
Helsinki has launched a recruitment drive for Spanish early childhood teachers, promising permanent contracts from day one and net monthly salaries between €2,400 and €2,700. The initiative aims to address Finland’s shortage of qualified educators and offers a structured path for integration.
Pilar García Warns Pension System Faces Strain as Lifespans Rise
Pilar García de la Granja highlights a growing gap in Spain’s pension system, noting that benefits now cover nearly three decades of retirement instead of the original ten. Rising life expectancy and new flexible retirement rules are reshaping the debate.
Spanish Bus Driver Reveals Real Earnings and Daily Trade-Offs
Jordi, a veteran bus driver, shares the realities of his profession: long days, regional pay gaps, and the choice to return home each night over higher international wages. His story highlights the pressures and decisions facing Spain’s drivers.
Spanish Farmer with 290 Hectares Warns: 'We Risk More to Earn Less'
After three decades managing his family's 290-hectare farm in Bobadilla del Campo, Luis Velasco Alonso says rising costs and stagnant crop prices are pushing profitability to the brink. He urges less red tape, stronger support for Spanish produce, and collective action among farmers.
Ibiza Yacht Captain Sleeps in €4,000 Van to Avoid Sky-High Rents
For six months, José commands a €6 million Jaguar 72 yacht in Ibiza, but at night he returns to a modest van parked near the marina. High rental prices force even well-paid professionals to rethink where—and how—they live on the island.
French Teacher Retires at 61 with €2,454 Monthly Pension
Joël, a French secondary school teacher, retired at 61 after nearly 30 years in public education. He now receives a net pension of €2,454 per month and volunteers teaching French to foreigners. His case highlights the complexities of early retirement rules in France.
Spain Updates Hospitality Rules for Extreme Heat: What Changes for Terraces
Spain’s hospitality sector faces new climate safety rules after a landmark agreement between unions and employers. The changes focus on protecting outdoor workers during heatwaves, but do not require automatic terrace closures or introduce new fines.
Affordable Housing, Not Births, Drives Change in Spain's Emptying Villages
Spain's smallest villages keep losing residents despite rare births. Local housing initiatives, not employment alone, have proven most effective in attracting new families. The demographic challenge remains acute in rural regions.
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