Spain and Argentina face worsening labour market conditions

The OECD’s annual employment outlook warns that Spain’s real wages have fallen 2 % since early 2021 and are expected to remain stagnant through 2026‑27 as productivity growth stalls. The report notes that temporary contracts have declined after the 2021 labour reform, yet unemployment stays high at 10.3 % and regional disparities persist.

A study by the University Católica Argentina’s Observatory of Social Debt highlights growing precarisation in Argentina’s urban labour market. Over the past 15 years, the share of non‑salaried and self‑employed positions has risen, while formal, protected jobs have declined. Researchers argue that the labour reform introduced by President Javier Milei is unlikely to improve job quality, noting a 4.5‑percentage‑point increase in workers outside collective agreements despite low unemployment rates.