Spain loses 16,300 private-sector workers as public jobs grow

Spain’s private sector loses 16,300 workers in the third quarter compared with the previous one, while the public sector gains 89,900. The Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Organisations (CEOE) highlights the split on Tuesday, 27 October, in its assessment of the Labour Force Survey. Self-employment drives the private-sector decline; the number of private-sector employees rises by just 100.

Self-employed workers bear the loss

The number of people working for themselves falls by 15,500 in the quarter. Within that group, there are 43,000 fewer business owners without employees and independent workers. Compared with a year earlier, self-employment is down 3.2%.

CEOE links slower job growth to labour costs rising over recent years. Employment across Spain grows by 2.1% compared with a year earlier, down from 2.3% in the previous quarter. In the private sector, growth slows from 2.1% to 1.4%.

Unemployment rises despite more full-time work

Unemployment rises by 95,900 to 2,591,200 in the third quarter, taking the unemployment rate to 10.18%. CEOE says Spain had the European Union’s highest unemployment rate in August, citing Eurostat figures.

The survey also shows 244,400 more people in full-time work than in the previous quarter. Compared with a year earlier, the number of employees on permanent contracts rises by 3.2%, against 1.6% for those on temporary contracts.

CEOE expects private-sector job growth to be weaker than last year. It warns that the fall in self-employment points to a loss of businesses and independent workers.

Topics: Jobs & labour

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com