Spain : Trade unions criticize the lack of labour inspectors

Spain has one labour inspector for 23 300 workers, which is half than elsewhere in the EU, where the average is one inspector for 12000 workers. According to trade unions, which denounce this situation, the lack of checks explains why Spain has more work accidents than any other European country, with 6.6 deaths for 100 000 workers, compared to 4.8 on average in the EU. (Ref. 06513)
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A total of 790 inspectors and 828 “vice-inspectors” (a category which can intervene in companies the same way as inspectors but cannot give sanctions) are currently in service, compared to 739 in 2003. According to the agreement on labour law reform that was signed with social partners, the government has promised to increase by 20% the number of inspectors (to 954) and vice-inspectors (to 968). According to the ministry of Labour, one million workers have an accident at work each year, and 10

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