Wage updates and recruitment challenges in Alicante’s construction sector
Recent developments bring welcome news to Alicante’s construction and public works workforce. In the province, around 38,000 workers are employed in this sector. Unions UGT and CC OO, together with employers FOPA, PROVIA, and disaster relief bodies, reached an agreement this Friday on new salary tables to be implemented this year. The regulation also includes an overall 3.75% increase in fees across all concepts. (Source: Alicante Public Works Federation – FOPA)
Notably, workers will see a 2.75% raise in salaries, with the amount retroactive to January 1. An additional 1% contribution from employers funds a new retirement plan established for sector employees. The move aims to make the profession more attractive amid a labor shortage that has left some companies seeking professionals abroad. (Source: FOPA)
The boost in pay will be even more pronounced for those on training contracts and for scholarship recipients under the Minimum Interprofessional Wage. In these groups, compensation could rise by up to 5%, aligning with the agreement reached by the government and the unions last week. (Source: FOPA)
In parallel with these salary adjustments, the sector showcases an ongoing dialogue about working conditions and incentives. A photo caption notes construction activity in Alicante. The image underscores the scale of activity and the real-world impact of these salary changes on workers and projects alike. (Source: FOPA)
Current salary ranges now extend from approximately 15,876 euros, plus a pension plan contribution of 149 euros, for trainees, to about 37,586 euros, plus 420 euros for retirement, for roles requiring higher qualifications. These figures place the province among the higher echelons of provincial earnings within the country as catalogued in the provincial agreement. It is also acknowledged that shortages in skilled personnel push some employers to offer salaries above these figures to attract qualified staff. (Source: FOPA)
Javier Gisbert, president of the Alicante Public Works Federation (FOPA), highlights that the ranges set in the provincial agreement are among the nation’s highest, exceeding those in Castellón and Valencia by roughly 20%. He also notes that the real salaries offered by many companies often surpass these official figures due to the ongoing shortage of professionals. (Source: FOPA)
Supporters applaud Mazón’s plan to build 10,000 affordable housing units but call for streamlined bureaucratic processes to speed up development. The sector has faced a persistent challenge since 2016, when the construction recovery began, driven by a lack of new attracting professions among youth and the migration of workers to other fields after the 2008 housing market collapse. (Source: FOPA)
According to Gisbert, the shortage begins with more specialized roles but has spread to nearly every area of construction. A campaign by FOPA has initiated partnerships with recruitment specialists to source talent at the origin, with pilots aiming to ease this pressure by facilitating recruitment in other countries. (Source: FOPA)