Indefinite contracts soar 138% compared to the same month last year, although they still represent a very low percentage of the total
The Region had as of this Wednesday a total of 94,816 unemployed, according to data published by the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy. Although this figure represents a growth of 1,205 people compared to last month, it is also true that there are 28,514 fewer unemployed (-23.12%) than a year ago, bearing in mind that February is traditionally a bad month for job creation. job. In addition, the total number of unemployed is the lowest since 2008.
Another piece of good news is that, although hiring fell slightly (1,488 fewer contracts), the labor market improved in stability. Following the national trend, indefinite contracts increased in February, signing a total of 14,384, which means an increase of 41.17% compared to January (4,195 more) and 138.86% compared to February 2021 ( a total of 8,362 more). The parties that make up the Government of the nation (PSOE and United We Can) and the unions attribute this promotion of indefinite hiring to the labor reform, in force since the beginning of 2022.
However, there is still a long way to go in terms of stability, because temporary contracts account for 79% of the total signed in the Region during the month of February. Of course, with a downward trend, since they were 5,683 less than in January and 6,080 less than a year ago.
Almost all the jobs destroyed were in the service sector, while unemployment fell in industry, agriculture and construction
Almost all of the rise in unemployment in the Region in February was concentrated in the services sector, which registered 1,022 more unemployed than the previous month (84% of the total). According to the information provided by the Employment and Training Service (SEF) of the Community, the greatest increases in unemployment within the services sector occurred in retail trade (+257); in transport (+96); and in domestic employment activities, in which unemployment increased by 81 people. On the other hand, jobs were created in accommodation services, with 54 fewer unemployed; and in professional and technical activities, with a decrease of 22 unemployed.
Agriculture, for its part, also experienced a decrease in unemployment, with 69 job seekers less than in the previous month, 0.99%. Likewise, the industry registered a slight decrease in the number of unemployed workers, with 69 fewer unemployed, 0.71%. The construction sector is the protagonist of a slight decrease in the demand for employment, with 166 fewer unemployed, 2.27%.
It is the best data since 2008 in February, a traditionally bad month for employment
The gender gap persists for another month in the Region, with 58,078 unemployed women compared to 36,738 men. The inequality between unemployed women and men increases above all after 25 years of age. The age group in which this difference is most noticeable is that of people over 45 years of age, with 29,855 unemployed compared to 18,724 unemployed.
Inflation and Russia
It has not given time for the unemployment data to reflect the impact of other measures such as the rise in the Interprofessional Minimum Wage (SMI). It is unknown what may happen in the coming months with the unemployment figures, as a result of high inflation and the international crisis due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. On the other hand, the arrival of Easter and the elimination of restrictions due to the pandemic may be factors that play in its favour, at least in the short term.
THIS IS HOW YOU SEE IT
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Regional government: “Economic and social uncertainty has its effects”
“There is no doubt that the situation of economic and social uncertainty that we are facing has an effect on employment but, even so, it does not stop the creation of jobs.” This is how the general director of the SEF, Marisa López, assessed the February data. In addition, she highlighted that the average affiliation to Social Security grew by 4,767 people, 0.78%. López indicated that “the increase in unemployment among the youngest reflects that the increase in the SMI makes it difficult not only for them to enter the labor market, but also for the possibility of maintaining themselves.” -
Croem: “The labor market continues to be affected by the pandemic”
The Croem employers assessed that the February data are “typical” of this month, although in this case they have been “influenced” by the end of the sixth wave of the coronavirus. In a statement, Croem indicated that the region’s labor market “continues to be very affected” by the pandemic. Added to this situation are “other risks that will occur in the immediate future”, among which she cites inflationary tensions or geopolitical conflicts. For its part, the Murcia Chamber of Commerce warned of the slowdown in the intensity of job creation. -
UGT: «The data show the positive influence of the labor reform»
UGT pointed out that the February unemployment data in the Region “shows the positive influence of the labor reform in our labor market”, but expressed its concern about the “blocking of collective bargaining” in certain sectors, as well as about “the loss of purchasing power” of the population. CC OO, for its part, also celebrates the effects of the labor reform in the increase in permanent contracts, at the same time that it sees “necessary” greater control of the price of energy, which affects business competitiveness. -
CC OO: “Greater control of the price of energy is necessary”
The CC OO union highlighted the “positive effects” of the labor reform in hiring and demanded “greater stability” in the service sector, as well as the implementation of measures to stop the increase in “precariousness” in female employment . Thus, CCOO has considered “necessary” a greater control of the price of energy, which affects business competitiveness and, therefore, the creation of stable employment, “maintaining the rise in the Interprofessional Minimum Wage” (SMI) to “improve » the living conditions of citizens.
In Spain, unemployment fell by more than 11,000 people and 316,841 permanent contracts were registered, almost twice as many as before the labor reform.