Catalan economy has lost 595,000 jobs since 2008 according to a trade union report

Barcelona (ACN).- On Friday, the Workers Commissions trade union (CCOO) issued a study calculating that 595,000 jobs have been lost in Catalonia since 2008. Furthermore, according to the CCOO report, the number of unemployed people has increased by 428,000 individuals. The study also revealed that the active population was reduced by 85,900 people – a drop of 2.3% – between 2011 and the last quarter of 2012. The Socio-Economy Secretary of CCOO, Cristina Faciaben, regretted the current “record” high unemployment figures. In addition, she stated at the presentation of the study that “there are no objective indications of a short-term recovery of the economy or the employment levels”. Faciaben also warned that unemployment figures would be even “more exorbitant” without the “forced migration” of many foreign nationals and Spanish youngsters, who quit the country to find job opportunities abroad.

The CCOO study underlined that Catalonia’s active population reached 3.3 million people by the end of the last quarter of 2012. In addition, between 2011 and this time, it had dropped by 85,990 individuals, which represents a 2.3% decrease. The reduction in activity has affected both men and women, whose activity rate decreased by 3.5% and 0.9% respectively. Regarding education level, all levels lost active population members with the only exception being professionals with higher education. In addition, the reduction of activity affects immigrants in a greater way than locals, with a respective 8.7% and 0.8% reduction.

Regarding employment, in 2012 there was a negative balance of 194,349 more people without a job in Catalonia, a 6.5% annual drop. The employment drop affects both men (-8.1%) and women (-4.7%). In addition, the age group of between 20 and 30 years old is the one that has been most affected, with a 6% drop. The study highlights the fact that some of these youngsters have gone back into the education system but many others have to migrate or remain unemployed.

Employment drops in most of the sectors, except technical and scientific, as well as among primary sector workers

20.6% of Catalan workers are employed in the restaurant, bar and hotel service sector. They are followed by technical, scientific and intellectual professionals, representing 17.7% of workers. The third largest group is that of office clerks, assistants and accountants, with 13.3%. The ‘L’ocupació a Catalunya 2012’ report shows that employment has dropped in most of the sectors, except in the scientific-technical professions – which had 20,300 more workers – and those related to agriculture, livestock and fishing activities – with 2,723 more workers.

According to the Spanish code of economic activities, which is written by the Spanish Statistical Institute (INE), the construction sector is leading the job loss ranking. Construction leads the ranking both in absolute terms (51,607 less workers) and in relative terms (23.4% less workers). The CCOO study concluded that “this sector, which has been badly hit by the crisis, has not reached its lowest point yet”. The union believes it will continue to fall considering the low investment made by the public sector in infrastructure and public works.

The CCOO study explained that the number of part-time workers has increased by 0.6% since 2011.  They represented, by the end of 2012, 398,990 people, 14.4% of the employed population. Despite the share increase in part-time work, there has been an overall reduction in part-time work, with 10,829 fewer people employed part-time, a 2.6% annual reduction. 23.1% of the working women have part-time positions, while among men the percentage is only 6.5%. However, there are 4,494 more men working part-time, while there are 15,323 fewer women doing so.

2012 ended with 883,408 unemployed people in Catalonia

Last year ended with 883,408 unemployed people in Catalonia. This figure represents 108,359 more people than there were at the end of 2011, a 14% increase. Last year’s unemployment increase is higher than that registered in 2011, which was 12.9%. These figures represent an unemployment rate of 24.1% in Catalonia, which is the highest rate ever. Unemployment affects both genders in similar proportions, although female unemployment is lower. The male unemployment rate was 24.7% while the female unemployment rate was 23.4%.

The CCOO report also emphasised that the period people are unemployed for is extended. In addition, long-term unemployment also increased. By the end of 2012, 283,719 individuals in Catalonia had not been working for more than 2 years. This group of people increased by 28.6% over a year. Faciaben stated that this is particularly “worrying” because being unemployed for more than two years is an obstacle to coming back onto the labour market. In addition, two years is the maximum length of the dole. After this period, the only public money they can receive is a social grant, the length of time this is available for is also limited.