Spain, the family and the recession

[Pesky Wesky]

Jon Henley is travelling through Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece to hear the human stories behind the European
debt crisis. He hears from someone who believes the role of the family in Spain acts as a buffer in times of recession
The 'stoical Spanish soul' seems able to cope with hardship | World news | guardian.co.uk

[Sirtravelot]

Originally Posted by Pesky Wesky

Jon Henley is travelling through Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece to hear the human stories behind the European
debt crisis. He hears from someone who believes the role of the family in Spain acts as a buffer in times of recession
The 'stoical Spanish soul' seems able to cope with hardship | World news | guardian.co.uk

Well that was depressing!

Maybe I should stay put in Scotland.

[Pesky Wesky]

Originally Posted by Sirtravelot

Well that was depressing!

Maybe I should stay put in Scotland.

Well, maybe you should. The article tells it like it is for many a Spanish family, so...
However, I seem to remember that you weren't thinking of coming over for a couple of years and although they say it's going to take 10 - 15 years before Spain's back to the level it was before the crisis, maybe it'll have picked up enough for a young Scot to jump on board!

[Sirtravelot]

Originally Posted by Pesky Wesky

Well, maybe you should. The article tells it like it is for many a Spanish family, so...
However, I seem to remember that you weren't thinking of coming over for a couple of years and although they say it's going to take 10 - 15 years before Spain's back to the level it was before the crisis, maybe it'll have picked up enough for a young Scot to jump on board!

Yeah, true, very good point. This whole crisis is such a pity.

[Pesky Wesky]

Originally Posted by Sirtravelot

Yeah, true, very good point. This whole crisis is such a pity.

You're telling me!
OH is a teacher who's been given 3 weeks work begrudgingly and I have a 17 year old daughter who is trying to keep her motivation up for studying and going on to university.

[Sirtravelot]

Originally Posted by Pesky Wesky

You're telling me!
OH is a teacher who's been given 3 weeks work begrudgingly and I have a 17 year old daughter who is trying to keep her motivation up for studying and going on to university.

Is she going to university in the UK or Spain?

[Pesky Wesky]

Originally Posted by Sirtravelot

Is she going to university in the UK or Spain?

Well, as the only idea she's ever had as far as work goes is teaching young kids, we've never even considered sending her to the Uk. She is Spanish and wants to work here. ATM at least

[Sirtravelot]

Originally Posted by Pesky Wesky

Well, as the only idea she's ever had as far as work goes is teaching young kids, we've never even considered sending her to the Uk. She is Spanish and wants to work here. ATM at least

If she's Spanish I can't imagine her wanting to move to the UK, simply because of the weather. The Spaniards are coming over though!

By the way, where did you hear that it may take 10-15 years for the economy to recover?

[Pesky Wesky]

Originally Posted by Sirtravelot

If she's Spanish I can't imagine her wanting to move to the UK, simply because of the weather. The Spaniards are coming over though!

By the way, where did you hear that it may take 10-15 years for the economy to recover?

Well, it was widely reported in the papers at the time. The report actually came from the OCDE (in Spanish) the OECD (The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). After a quick look I've come to the conclusion that you have to pay to get a copy of that report, but maybe somone else can find it.
Here's a link to an article in El País
The headline is
La OCDE cree que España tardará 15 años en volver a la tasa de paro previa a la crisis
Which translates into smth like
The OECD believes that Spain's unemploment rate will not drop to the rate previous to the recession for another 15 years.
La OCDE cree que España tardará 15 años en volver a la tasa de paro previa a la crisis · ELPAÍS.com

Here is smth interesting I found on the OECD site about unemployment
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/8/45/48682976.pdf
In fact the site is full of clear concise info, but I just don't have time to look at it now. I'd love somebody else to root around and extract the good stuff

[nigele2]

Originally Posted by Pesky Wesky

Here is smth interesting I found on the OECD site about unemployment
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/8/45/48682976.pdf
In fact the site is full of clear concise info, but I just don't have time to look at it now. I'd love somebody else to root around and extract the good stuff

I think the main thing the OECD is emphasizing are the problems of long term unemployment. Companies want people who have recent track records.

"Three quarters of long-term unemployed (with more than 12 months of unemployment) are primeaged workers (ages 25 to 54 years) and almost two-thirds are low-skilled. Long spells of unemployment can reduce employment prospects because workers’ skills may degrade over time and employers may prefer to hire candidates with recent work experience."

That is why I am happy to sponsor my step-daughter in Lanzarote while she works for nothing. At least she has an ongoing CV.

While the OECD mention the steps proposed last autumn :

"Spain has embarked on a series of labour market reforms as adopted in
September 2010 and as announced more recently as part of its social and economic tripartite agreement in February 2011."

It avoids mentioning what may be an even bigger issue. Because Spain is in the Euro over which it has virtually no control (valuation and interest rates) recovery through offering cheap labour is not an easy option. How can Spain become more competative in the global marketplace is the key question IMHO.

As seen recently with the electronic car company from SW England external companies will only create jobs in Spain if Spain pays them to do so and Spain has no money.

All very depressing. But back to work for me