AGP Executive Report

Transport Workers: Strikes by Murcia bus and tram workers were called off after unions secured a three-year pay deal. Public Education: Teachers in Madrid began mobilizing for strike action, putting staffing and conditions in schools back in focus. Pay: Spanish unions are seeking a minimum wage of €1,306 a month in 2027, renewing debate over earnings and labour costs. AI at Work: Spain’s data protection agency has issued guidance warning employers about using AI in recruitment and workplace decisions, highlighting the need for safeguards around algorithmic systems.

Pay and Hiring: Spanish unions are seeking a 2027 minimum wage of €1,306 a month, while the AEPD has issued guidance warning employers about the risks of using AI in recruitment. Public-Sector Jobs: Madrid teachers have begun an indefinite strike demanding smaller classes, more funding and better working conditions. Self-Employment: A proposal would let Spain’s autónomos pay no social-security contributions for two years, though it has not been adopted. Growth and Careers: Non-tourism service exports have climbed to €105 billion, supporting skilled, better-paid work in areas such as consulting, transport and telecommunications.

Layoffs: Netflix plans to cut about 1,000 jobs—6% of its workforce—in its largest round since 2022, affecting product, technology, legal and HR teams despite continued investment in growth. Recruitment: Robert Walters returned to net-fee growth in Q3, with Spain among its specialist markets performing better than a year earlier, while Europe overall declined. Cross-border hiring: Spanish-owned companies in the US may explore E-1 and E-2 visas to recruit Spanish executives and specialists as proposed OPT fees prompt employers to review their options; the rule is not final. Self-employment: A new proposal could let Spain’s autónomos pay no social-security contributions for two years, though details remain unclear.

Self-Employed Support: A new plan could give Spain’s autónomos a two-year social-security contribution break; the measure is still a proposal. Youth Policy: The Government approved a €59.191 million Youth Plan, though details of its employment measures were not provided. Banking Jobs: CCOO called demonstrations outside major banks in 12 cities to demand better working conditions. Madrid Hiring: Fruit Attraction is credited with supporting more than 3,100 jobs in Madrid, alongside €419 million in economic activity. Labour Costs: A study says taxes account for more than 53% of labour costs in Spain, a significant consideration for employers and workers.

HR Technology: Spanish software firm Yunbit has launched a starter HR platform for companies with 20–100 employees, combining time tracking, leave management, digital employee files and compliance tools. Labour Action: Spanish unions are calling a November 11 general strike over the housing crisis, bringing workers’ housing costs into focus; UGT and CCOO have set out their demands. Pay and Costs: A study says taxes account for more than 53% of labour costs in Spain, keeping the burden on employers and workers in view. Retirement Planning: Spain’s Social Security service has introduced a tool that lets workers check and certify their exact retirement date.

HR Practices: GEA has earned Top Employer certification in Spain, part of a 21-country footprint, and says its employee development programmes reached nearly 18,000 staff in 2025. Labour Costs: Taxes account for more than 53% of labour costs in Spain, according to a recent study, keeping employer costs in focus. Workers’ Rights: Spain’s unions have called a November 11 general strike over the housing crisis, linking living costs to a wider labour dispute. Retirement: Social Security has launched a tool to help Spanish workers confirm their exact retirement date.

Housing and Labour Action: Spanish unions have called a general strike for November 11 over the housing crisis, putting affordability and workers’ living conditions on the agenda. Cost of Employment: A study says taxes make up more than 53% of labour costs in Spain, a significant burden for employers and workers. Hiring: BYD plans to grow its European workforce to more than 40,000 by 2030, recruiting from the auto industry and beyond; Lidl’s October expansion across Spain is expected to create more than 100 permanent jobs. Working Conditions: A FIFPRO survey found 49% of women footballers were considering early retirement, citing financial pressure and mental health concerns; just 56% had employment contracts and 13% received a club pension.

Workplace AI Rules: Spain’s new regulation requires employers to tell staff in writing when algorithms influence working hours, task allocation, pay, promotion, work location or dismissal. New hires must be informed before starting; existing workers can request details. Labour Action: Unions are planning Spain’s first general strike in 14 years for November 11, with the housing crisis a central concern. Hiring Costs: A study finds taxes account for more than 53% of labour costs in Spain, a significant factor for employers and workers. Worker Protection: Police freed 25 women in Ibiza who were allegedly lured with fake job offers and forced into prostitution, highlighting the risks of fraudulent recruitment.

Worker Protections: Spanish police say a trafficking ring in Ibiza lured 25 women, mostly Venezuelans, with fake hospitality and manicure jobs before forcing them into sex work; four people were arrested. Labour Unrest: Spain is heading for its first general strike in 14 years on November 11, amid anger over housing costs and precarious living conditions, just weeks before the November 29 election. Jobs and Business: Madrid’s Fruit Attraction trade fair generated an estimated €419 million and more than 3,100 jobs, drawing over 121,000 industry professionals. Retirement Rights: From December 25, former professional athletes will be able to reclaim certain pre-enrolment work periods for pension calculations, helping address gaps in their contribution records.

Economic Outlook: The Bank of Spain raised its 2026 inflation forecast to 3.9% as energy costs climb, while lifting its growth outlook to 2.6%. Housing & Politics: Housing is set to dominate the campaign after Spain called a snap election for November 29; unions plan a 24-hour strike on November 11 over housing and wages. Workplace & Hiring: Spain’s jobs boom has reached a record high, but Vodafone’s Spain unit has reduced its proposed redundancies to 166. A new labour-law measure would let workers request written information on pay, hours and algorithms affecting their employment. Access to Jobs: Spain has published a list of 18 countries whose citizens can enlist in its military without Spanish citizenship.

Military Hiring: Spain is allowing citizens of eligible Latin American countries and Equatorial Guinea to apply for armed forces positions without Spanish citizenship, subject to specific requirements. Worker Rights: A new labor law lets employees request written details of their pay, hours and the algorithms shaping employment decisions. Redundancies: Vodafone has reduced its proposed job cuts at VOIS Spain to 166 workers. Jobs and Wages: Unions are planning Spain’s first general strike in 14 years for November 11, linking the housing crisis with demands around wages; meanwhile, Spain’s jobs boom has reached a record high.

Labour Action: Spain’s two largest unions have called a housing-focused general strike for November 11, while medical unions have put their indefinite strike on hold ahead of the election. Worker Rights: A new labour law lets employees request details in writing about their pay, hours and the algorithms shaping their work. Jobs and Hiring: Spain’s jobs boom has reached a record, and foreign workers now number more than 3.6 million, with employment growing in several sectors. Restructuring: Vodafone has cut its proposed redundancies at VOIS Spain to 166, while AstraZeneca is preparing job cuts in Spain despite strong business growth. Labour Costs: A study finds taxes account for more than 53% of labour costs in Spain.

Workforce AI: Spain-based Job&Talent says its AI transformation has cut operating costs by more than 30% and accelerated growth, highlighting how automation is reshaping staffing businesses. Labour Costs: A new study puts taxes at over 53% of Spain’s labour costs, a pressure point for employers and pay negotiations. Worker Rights: Spanish workers can request written details of their salary, hours and the algorithms used to make employment decisions. Strikes: Unions are planning a 24-hour general strike on November 11 over housing and wages, putting workplace concerns alongside the country’s housing crisis. Jobs and Migration: Spain’s jobs boom has reached a record, while foreign workers have topped 3.6 million, with employment growing across several sectors. Redundancies: Vodafone has reduced its proposed redundancy plan at VOIS Spain to 166 workers; AstraZeneca is also preparing cuts in Spain despite strong business growth.

Digital Skills: Spain’s strong connectivity is not translating into widespread business use of advanced technology. Brussels flags below-EU-average cloud adoption and too few ICT specialists in the workforce. Worker Action: Spanish unions are planning a general strike over housing, while Murcia bus workers resumed Thursday strikes after collective-agreement talks failed, with pay and working conditions among the sticking points. Employment Costs: A new study says taxes account for more than 53% of labour costs in Spain, renewing debate over the cost of hiring. Jobs Outlook: Spain has surpassed 3.6 million foreign workers, with employment growth concentrated in several sectors; September employment reached a record, although unemployment also rose. Industry and Hiring: Proposed EU “Made in Europe” rules from Spanish socialists would tie some foreign investment in strategic sectors to retaining local jobs. Meanwhile, Fruit Attraction’s Madrid event is credited with supporting more than 3,100 jobs.

Labour Market: Spain’s foreign workforce topped 3.6 million for the first time, with employment rising in several sectors. September also brought the strongest employment figures on record, though unemployment increased by 23,500. Workplace Pressure: Spain faces its first general strike in 14 years on 11 November, amid mounting anger over the housing crisis. Company News: AstraZeneca is preparing job cuts in Spain despite strong business growth and its Barcelona hub; Airbus workers, meanwhile, backed an industry pre-agreement with 76.6% support. Hiring and Outlook: Madrid’s Fruit Attraction trade fair generated an estimated 3,100 jobs, while solar-sector employment across Europe is forecast to shrink as deployment growth slows. Ceuta is also pitching itself as a technology hub, saying more multinationals are setting up or relocating there.

Labour Action: UGT and CCOO have called a nationwide strike for November 11, as Spain heads into a snap election with Parliament dissolved. The unions are protesting over housing, though the unusual timing has sparked debate about the strike’s political target. Jobs and Migration: Spain recorded its strongest September for employment, helped by worker regularisation, but unemployment still rose by 23,500. Foreign employment passed 3.6 million, with hiring growth concentrated in several sectors. Industry: Spanish manufacturing returned to growth in September, while Airbus workers in Spain backed an industry labour pre-agreement with 76.6% support — a sign of workforce backing for the sector’s competitiveness.