Imogen Calderwood
SPAIN’S labour costs have peaked above the UK’s as a weak pound and lower wages make the UK a low-cost country compared to European counterparts.
The average hourly cost of employing someone in Spain last year was €21.10 compared to the UK which was €20.90, according to data from Eurostat.
The Eurozone average is €23.70 per hour and Britain and Spain are far below Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands.
Unemployment and productivity improvements in Spain since 2008 have pushed down the unit labour costs. In the UK, weak wage growth accompanied by weak productivity has damaged overall competitiveness.
Spain’s average hourly labour costs rose 8.7% between 2008 and 2013 compared to the EU’s average of 10.2%.
However in the UK, the average labour costs remained practically the same over the five year period.
Most tradesmen in Andalusia work for 8-15 euros per hour. Not 20+ euros per hour. Best deals are all cash. Handymen and maids charge 8-10 euros per hour. 12-15 euros am hour for masons, air conditioning technicians, electricians, plumbers and carpenters. Construction engineers and architects will charge you about 15-18 euros per hour for building plans
I dont know where the idea came from that the Pound is weak compared with the Euro?
This is one of the worst pieces I have come across on here and written obviously by someone who nothing about: the work culture in Spain / labour laws/ social security system / black economy
a lot of people in Spain ask or get paid in cash
The reason is many do not declare every penny they should
for Tax and other purposes
This is the same for Tradespeople and professionals Lawyers Dentists Doctors and so on
Also the UKp is not that weak at the moment
I think this article is wrong