Construction raised the alarm. The provincial sector has a shortage of 10,000 workers, putting at risk the execution of the Edificant plan for education infrastructure and various projects that should be financed with European funds. Companies are taking steps to promote education and attract young people, a measure that is expected to bear fruit in the medium term. The problem is that recruitment needs are urgent so the Government is in demand Implementation of appropriate mechanisms to import foreign labor. Unions, on the other hand, think that better working conditions will solve most of the problem.
The shortage of workers in the construction industry is a scourge that affects the entire country. At the national level, it is estimated that around 200,000 employees are currently needed to meet the needs of companies, highlighting the scale of the problem. The province of Alicante is no exception to this fact, as companies also face serious difficulties in filling their workforce. This was stated by Javier Gisbert, president of this region’s Federation for Public and Utility Affairs (FOPA), who stated that according to a survey there are 10,000 people needed. “Companies -emphasizes- We stole from the staff all summer Being able to meet scheduled business deadlines, so the challenge is huge”.
And, Gisbert, it doesn’t end there, as needs will grow exponentially in the coming months, with Edificant plan tenders, European funding, and even projects like the mega battery factory being projected in Sagunto. “We see how only about 60% of the work financed from Europe is performed each year, so now much more funding will come in, the percentage could be much higher,” he warns.
The head of FOPA regrets that Hispanic nationals under the age of 45 “do not want to come to construction even though the wages are higher than in other sectors. People registered as unemployed are also not working, probably because they do not go to work. older people and women are not interested in our activities and this is getting more industrialized“.
The Federation is negotiating with the Generalitat. promoting education and making the industry more attractive to young peopleWhen negotiating formulas, besides vocational training, there are shorter courses that accelerate labor market entry. In any case, and to meet the most urgent needs, the industry also calls on the Government to take appropriate measures and speed up permits, explains Gisbert, “to be able to import labor from origin, from South America or Eastern countries“.
Jesualdo Ros, general secretary of the Real Estate Contractors Association of the State of Alicante (Provia), uses similar expressions, highlighting the work being done on the use of prefabricated elements in education and work. . As a result, they agree on the need to bring in foreign labor, emphasizing a measure, “It is a measure that the government itself has already planned. industries like ours, agriculture or hospitalitybut for now it has not progressed”.
So what do the unions think about all this? Yaissel Sánchez, secretary general of the UGT at l’Alacantí-Les Marines, points out that 13,000 people currently registered as job seekers in construction in the state are unemployed, of which 5,000 are additionally specialized activities, so, in his opinion, “on this list” must be someone willing to work”. The union representative adds, “The sector does not have contact with the public employment services and does not offer adequate working and salary conditions.”
There is something very similar to the opinion of Paco García, general secretary of CC OO, on the same limitation. and Ask if they are paid adequately and if their working conditions are good.because people are not unemployed for pleasure”.
Formation of Alicante City Council and Consell
FOPA’s work to promote construction education is bearing fruit. As reported by FP managing director Manolo Gomicia, Generalitat has introduced new cycles at institutes in Altea and Ontinyent. Alicante City Council will sign an agreement with FOPA itself, through the Local Development Agency, following a meeting between mayor Luis Barcala and Javier Gisbert himself. professionals.