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Country Profile

Working in Spain

- Carmela Bignotia,
Nov 20, 2006

The Philippine government recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) with the Spanish government. As a result, a pilot project arrangement creates 100,000 job opportunities for Filipino health care workers in Spain. The news encourages many Filipinos to find a job in this European nation. To guide aspiring workers, the following provides a brief overview of Spain’s employment rules for foreign workers.

 

Basic Information

v      Capital: Madrid

v      Government Type: Parliamentary Monarchy

v      Languages: Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%

v      Religion: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%

v      Climate: Mediterranean climate in the southern and eastern coastal areas as well as a temperate climate further inland.

v      Currency: Euro (EUR)

v      GDP per capita): 25,500

v      Industries: textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism

v      Exports: machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, other consumer goods

v      Major Industries: Agriculture, Cement, Chemicals, Engineering, Fishing, Food Processing, Forestry and Timber Products, Iron and Steel, Mining Manufactures, Metal Processing, Petroleum Refining, Transport Equipment, Wine Making, Yarns and Textiles.

 

Minimum Wage: 631 Euro per month or Php 41,480 per month

 

Job Opportunities

Many rich families in Spain are looking for household help such as housekeepers, cooks, and drivers.

 

Hotels, bars, and restaurants are in need of hotel staff from hotel managers to kitchen helpers.

 

Other job openings are for English teachers and health care workers.

 

Employment Concerns

Discrimination of foreigners is uncommon. Majority of Spanish employees accepts the presence of foreign workers and works with them peacefully.

 

Learning a little conversational Spanish will greatly help in communicating with the locals. Proficiency in the Spanish language is definitely an advantage because most high-paying occupations require fluency in Spanish.

 

Among members of the European nation, Spain has the lowest percentage (less than one percent) of workers receiving minimum wage.

 

The Spanish Ministry of Labour (Ministerio de Trabajo) must approve employment of foreigners who are not from countries belonging to the European nation states. A working visa must also be obtained prior to entering Spain.

 

Make sure you get an official work contract from your employer.

 

Read and fully understand the provisions stated in your employment contract. Request a copy translated in English if it happens to be written in a foreign language.

 

A temporary contract in Spain lasts from three to nine months. Working beyond the specified period obliges an employer to offer a long-term contract.

 

Employment regulations in Spain ensure the well-being of laborers as many provisions are geared to the advantage of the workers. For example, employing a person without issuing working contacts are prohibited. Employer who fails to comply with this requirement have to pay a certain fee.

 

Workers cannot be fired without a valid reason. A worker who believes he is unjustly dismiss from a job may present a demand for conciliation within 20 days after receiving the dismissal letter.

 

National insurance and tax are deducted from the salary of a foreign worker.

 

Working hours in Spain includes a 2-3 hour break between 2 to 5 pm. This is what they call siesta. During this time when the sun is at its hottest, companies and establishments closes and reopens in the evening.

 

 

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Reader Comments
 greetings!i want to ask on how 2 apply for health workers in spain.thank you and godbless. - Farah

 I got an employment offer and Contract Agreement for 2 years in Total Petroleum - Madrid,Spain. Could you please help me verify whether what is e-mailed to me is really an official contract? The letter of affirmation came from Mr. Carlos Alberto. The position is Site Inspector.Please help verify. Thanks. - Reynaldo F. Parayno

 i want to work in spain... - Mae

 i would like to know how to apply there for merchandizer..and i willing to work...thanks - Bayani O. Chavez

 i would like to know how to apply there for merchandizer..and i willing to work...thanks - Bayani O. Chavez

 Hi Good day Sir/Maam. I working here in UAE is there any possible that i can a land a job in spain.. What are the procedures, documents needed and how and where can apply here in UAE please advise thanks - Jose Maria George T. Soliva

 HI..im a newly RN, I dont have any experience in the hospital..do I have any chance to go to spain to work?? - Jie

 good day,anybody who can help me to apply for a job in spain?thanks - Lucena Ferrer

 My husband is in Madrid, Spain working as an engineer and I can't wait to move in there with our kids hopefully early next year. I'm also looking forward to working there if there's a job meant for me to have. The article's content is accurate based on what my hubby has told me about living in Spain. But I was kinda surprised about the price range of fully furnished apartments in Madrid. I am actually glad with what I've read that it's below 800euro only because so far all the apartments that my husband has checked out cost 800euro and above. We really need to find that 600euro apartment or less much better. I would appreciate any info about the not-so-expensive apartments in Madrid. Thanks! - Jen

 im looking for a job as a caregiver in spain - Miriam A. Mendoza

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