Social and labour market situation of women in Spain

Since 1994 the employment situation of women in Spain has improved considerably. In particular, the salary gap between the genders has remained stable over the 10-year period. However, recent research indicates that women are still more likely than men to be working under temporary contracts. Moreover, recently implemented measures aimed at achieving a work-life balance are regarded as insufficient.

In December 2003, the Spanish Economic and Social Council (Consejo Económico y Social) - CES - published their second report on the situation of women at work and in society. This report includes new issues, such as reconciling work and family life, immigration, single-parent families, dependency problems and the ageing population. Two of its eight chapters focus on working conditions.

According to the report’s findings, the proportion of Spanish women engaged in temporary employment (34.1%) was still greater than for men (29%) in 2002 (Spanish National Statistical Institute), This gap has narrowed somewhat since 1992, when it was 39% and 30.7%, respectively.