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
Capital: Madrid Government Type: Parliamentary Monarchy Languages: Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque
2% Religion: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6% Climate: Mediterranean climate in the southern and eastern coastal
areas as well as a temperate climate further inland. Currency: Euro (EUR) GDP per capita): 25,500 Industries: textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and
beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding,
automobiles, machine tools, tourism Exports: machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, other consumer
goods 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.
