SPANISH HISTORY WITH RELATION TO HUMAN RESOURCE ISSUES
The story of Spain economy did not take off until 1975 where they eventually turned into a
democracy when General Franco and his regime died. The Spaniards once again looked to
their king to take them into the unknown territory of democracy and brought them closer to
the European Union.
Through out the 20th century just 1/3 of the population either had a job or was looking for
one. In 1965 it touched record levels where unemployment was hovering at about 38.5%.
However this number decreased in the 80s to about 33%-34%.
Compared to other European countries in the 1970s Spain had the lowest participation by
women, which was at 18% of all women in Spain. This is to be compared to Italy, which
was at about 26% and in northern Europe, which was about 30% to 40 %. However with
benefits, incentives, government policies, and legislation this value was raised to about
30% to 40% of the population of women working in the labour force.
In the late 1980s Spain economy was growing. This was mainly due to the rise in the
employment, improved equipments, rise in industrial production and mainly government
policies. However the figures might be false to a certain extent because it was believed that
the underground economy had also contributed to the booming economy
(http://www.workmall.com).
SPANISH LABOUR MARKET
The Spanish labour market is affected by tradition and culture, so there are two principal
reasons that could represent the labor market in Spain. Firstly, there is a very high rate of
unemployment besides the economic growth. Secondly, an individual tends to be
unemployed for long time. Looking at the period from 1987 to 1991, there is 57.4%,
unemployment in Spain. So in twentieth century, it was around 52.7% probably because
the labor market was rigid.
After the government allowed the extensive use of temporary labour contracts, the
employment in Spain had grown and they represent more than 90% of new hires. Beside
that, throughout the nineties, Spanish labour market included young workers, women and
others in lower qualification levels were affected by labour turnover.
(http://docubib.uc3m.es)
Source: ILO: 2003-2004 Key Indicators of the Labor Market (Geneva, 2003)
(www.ilo.org/kilm)
According to the above table, total employment, which includes employees, employers,
own-account workers and so on in Spain from 1997 to 2002 base on female with the
highest level, continue with male and female. Moreover, the general age group is 15 years
and over.
Source: ILO: 2003-2004 Key Indicators of the Labor Market (Geneva, 2003)
