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Spain's unemployed rush to fill jobs in Germany

2011-02-04 10:20:49

Sarah Rainsford By Sarah Rainsford BBC News, Madrid

The telephones to the European employment service Eures have been ringing off

the hook this week. The calls are from unemployed Spaniards urgently seeking

jobs - in Germany.

Eures' German branch has requested applications from Spanish engineers, medics,

teachers and tourism professionals. Other skilled workers, who speak German,

can also apply.

"All our lines have been jammed!" says Carmen de Eguilior Alvarez, a Eures

adviser in Madrid. "There's huge interest, because of the crisis here."

Spain's economy is still struggling to emerge from recession. The collapse of

the construction sector wiped out more than 2 million jobs and there is still

little sign of recovery.

This week, unemployment touched a 13-year high with new figures showing 20.33%

of the workforce unemployed.

So traditionally home-loving Spaniards are being forced to expand their

horizons.

Start Quote

Carmen de Eguilior Alvarez

All our lines have been jammed. There's huge interest, because of the crisis

here

End Quote Carmen de Eguilior Alvarez Eures jobs adviser

"It's very hard to find work here, especially something long term," explains

Silvia Dominguez, a student nurse in Madrid. Pessimistic about her prospects at

home, she decided to learn German and increase her chances.

"The German economy is much better," Silvia says. "I'd prefer to stay in Spain

with my family and friends, but without work it's impossible."

'Mass exodus'

In stark contrast with Spain, the German economy grew by 3.6% last year. Its

unemployment rate ranks among the lowest in the EU.

But Germany now needs skilled workers to maintain that momentum, and Spaniards

need work. So the two countries' employment agencies have teamed up.

Initial reports of tens or even hundreds of thousands of vacancies caused a

stir here.

Tale of two countries

Sources: Spanish labour ministry; German federal labour office; World Bank 2009

There was talk of an imminent mass exodus of the unemployed; a great march

north to a German land of opportunity.

Eures staff insist they have no concrete quotas yet, but they confirm this is

the first mass recruitment of Spanish workers for Germany of its kind.

"We're currently analysing the potential, on both sides," explains Maria-Jose

Arias, Eures Spain manager.

"We consider this will be good opportunity to open minds, give unemployed

people more resources and allow them to come back to Spain with a more

qualified profile," she says at the agency's offices in the south of Madrid.

Eures received 3,000 email applications for the scheme in three days: an early

indication of the scale of the demand - and frustration - here.

"The situation is so bad in Spain. Companies are firing not hiring now,"

complains Almudena Mendoza, a sales executive who just lost her job at a

construction firm. She's seriously considering a move to Germany.

"It could be an exciting chance for us. Germany is a good market now."

'Goodbye Spain'

Engineering students at Madrid Polytechnical University Engineering students in

Spain complain competition for jobs has pushed down wages

Zurine Vigara, a student of German literature, agrees. "Spanish people love to

be in Spain for the weather. But you can come back here on holidays," she says.

Zurine is moving to Germany this spring to complete her studies and doesn't

plan to return soon.

"You can't live without money. So I think if people have the opportunity, they

will leave. Goodbye Spain, hello Germany."

The situation has sparked comparisons with the waves of mass emigration of the

1960s. Then, entire families from poorer, rural Spain left to staff the

factories of northern Europe.

In 1965, 80,000 people emigrated and in 1969, 100,000 emigrated, mostly to

Europe.

But this time Germany is looking for skilled workers, who speak German. There's

no shortage of the former at the School of Industrial Engineering at Madrid

Polytechnical University (UPM).

"Our education qualifies us to work in any country," says Ernesto, a final year

student. He points out that competition for jobs has pushed wages down even

further here.

"Going to Germany is a very attractive prospect. You can double your salary

there," he says.

But whilst most engineers study English, fluent German-speakers are in short

supply.

"Going abroad is just what I'm looking for, I'd definitely take this offer up,"

says Joaquin Toubes Tova, who will graduate later this year.

"Maybe the language is not a huge problem, as Germans speak English like I do.

But if not, I can learn - it's not a problem!" he says.

Last resort

Since the economic crisis, the number of Spaniards seeking work abroad has

surged.

Joaquin Toubes Tova, engineering student German-speakers are in short supply

among Spain's engineering students

According to the recruitment agency Adecco, 110,000 people left the country in

the two years from April 2008. Most were skilled males under 35.

During that period, the European employment agency Eures has seen a fourfold

increase in calls. Most are from qualified, but unemployed workers hoping for

better luck overseas.

"Many people are leaving now," says David Rosendo, who contacted the agency

this week about the German job-offer.

He lost his marketing position over a year ago and says he would learn German

and leave, if there was definitely work to go to.

"We Spanish people don't normally like to move if we can stay in Spain. But if

you have no job you have to do something," he says.

Still, David says for most Spaniards moving abroad is a last resort.

"For us, that's like the last possible train you can catch. It's what you do

when there's nothing left here in Spain," he explains.

But it's happening now.

"I think people here are already on the internet, booking their tickets."