Construction, followed by real estate, commerce and hotel and catering, are the main job-creating industries in the area. What is changing is that firms are now demanding more unqualified labour. In fact 23 per cent of new jobs in December involved work that requires no qualifications.

The fall in new contracts has gone hand in hand with an increase in the number of unemployed registered with the Andalusian Employment Service in the town. In total Estepona has 4,661 unemployed, three per cent more than the previous month. The majority of them have previously worked in the services and construction sectors. As far as time without work is concerned, 20 per cent of Estepona’s unemployed have been on the register for a year, but more than half lost their jobs less than three months ago, according to the same sources.

The temporary nature of the work available continues to mark the employment situation in the area. The numbers of temporary contracts are increasing and now represent more than 90 per cent of the total. The majority of temporary jobs are in the construction industry, followed by services, agriculture and fisheries.

Statistics

Unemployment: The total number of registered unemployment in Estepona in December was 4,661, three per cent more than the previous month. More than half have been looking for work for less than three months.

Recruitment: 1,191 new contracts were signed in December, 33% fewer than the previous month. Construction, real estate, commerce and hotel and catering are the industries recruiting the most new workers. Almost 30% of new workers employed are not Spanish.

Instability: More than 90% of the job contracts signed in December were temporary.