In statements to Europa Press and El Correo, Pablo Martín, the head of Economics at Confebask, emphasised the impact of the regularisation of foreign workers on unemployment and employment rates in the Basque labour market. He expressed confidence that the Basque economy "continues to have sufficient dynamism to keep creating jobs intensively."
Martín noted that the October data regarding the Basque labour market shows a direct impact from the regularisation process. He reported an increase in unemployment of over 2,000 people, with 80% of the newly unemployed being foreigners. This indicates that many individuals who were regularised have yet to secure employment.
Conversely, the regularisation has also led to a significant rise in Social Security affiliation, with an increase of 14,500 individuals compared to the previous month, marking the best October since 2021. Martín insisted that these figures are heavily influenced by the regularisation process, stating, "Due to this exceptional circumstance, we see that the affiliation data is also being pressured upwards by this incorporation."
In summary, Martín highlighted the positive aspect that "the majority of those who have been regularised are entering the labour market as employees, although some remain unemployed. This clearly shows that the Basque economy continues to have sufficient dynamism to create jobs with significant intensity," he concluded.
About Confebask
Founded in 1983 by its territorial organisations Adegi (Gipuzkoa), Cebek (Bizkaia), and SEA Empresas Alavesas (Araba), Confebask is the most representative intersectoral business organisation in Euskadi. It encompasses companies of all sizes and sectors, serving as the primary business interlocutor with regional institutions, trade unions, media, and Basque society in general.
The Basque business sector generates wealth amounting to nearly 70% of Euskadi's GDP, employs 70% of all workers, with 85% holding permanent contracts, and offers some of the highest average salaries in Spain, alongside Madrid. Additionally, it contributes approximately €12 billion annually in taxes, equivalent to 94% of the Basque Government's social expenditure. The Basque business sector also contributes €7.6 billion towards pensions and unemployment insurance for workers.
