Excellent stuff. Reform of the hated and counterproductive autonomo system is a leap of faith no one seems willing to make. It’s baffling, a nation of trapped talent.
I used to have a side hustle, consulting and managing building projects. To do it viably as an autonomo I would have needed 25+ active clients, which would have been insane. So I gave it up and have a salaried job someone else could be doing. It’s so nuts.
"Now the challenge is getting the next generation of top talent into the private sector instead of safe government jobs." This is spot on, but it's going to be difficult.
A cultural shift + reform needs to happen. Las oposiciones might take a lot of time and work, but the funcionario lifestyle/a cushy job is the dream here. People don't define their purpose through their career, but through community and time outside of work--many functionario jobs give people that once they finish studying for oposiciones.
The autonomo grind or starting a business scares so many people away. Some reform to the tax laws would help, but there needs to be a cultural shift. People have titulitis (obsessed with obtaining certifications here). I see it firsthand as an ESL business teacher. Most of my students worldwide come to me to improve their presentation skills, cultural competency, interview prep, and so on. Spanish students mostly come for a Cambridge cert. However, I've seen this change with students who have lived abroad.
*Edit* I've been thinking about this article all morning. I just don't know if the focus should be on attracting corporations, but on tax reform that stimulates small business. The corporate attraction could create a greater gap between and rich and poor.
You make great points Nolan. It is difficult to know where to even start - totally agree about the different mindset about the around career here. And there are definitely pros to this mindset also. But there seems to be any interest by anyone in changing anything which is worrying. Hopefully we get to chat and debate about it over some cañas some time 🙌🏻
Yeah, man, I'd love it. I'll let you know next time I'm in Galicia. I have family con un piscifactoria cerca de a.Coruña I might go visit again, but I've been wanting to go to Vigo. Also, if you're ever in Valencia or Castellon, let me know. You're more than welcome to crash here if you need.
I do think also there's a sort of historical mindset that distrusts the so called fat cat business owners. Spain is still a very hierarchical society and this attitude seems quite ingrained. The role of funcionario is seen as a sort of bulwark against the "exploiting" classes
Great summary of Spain's low wages, disencouraging autónomo system and the maze of red tape!!
Excellent stuff. Reform of the hated and counterproductive autonomo system is a leap of faith no one seems willing to make. It’s baffling, a nation of trapped talent.
Thanks James! Yes every time I sit down and think about the autónomo system my head hurts. And all the paperwork involved also. It’s so anti-business!
I used to have a side hustle, consulting and managing building projects. To do it viably as an autonomo I would have needed 25+ active clients, which would have been insane. So I gave it up and have a salaried job someone else could be doing. It’s so nuts.
"Now the challenge is getting the next generation of top talent into the private sector instead of safe government jobs." This is spot on, but it's going to be difficult.
A cultural shift + reform needs to happen. Las oposiciones might take a lot of time and work, but the funcionario lifestyle/a cushy job is the dream here. People don't define their purpose through their career, but through community and time outside of work--many functionario jobs give people that once they finish studying for oposiciones.
The autonomo grind or starting a business scares so many people away. Some reform to the tax laws would help, but there needs to be a cultural shift. People have titulitis (obsessed with obtaining certifications here). I see it firsthand as an ESL business teacher. Most of my students worldwide come to me to improve their presentation skills, cultural competency, interview prep, and so on. Spanish students mostly come for a Cambridge cert. However, I've seen this change with students who have lived abroad.
*Edit* I've been thinking about this article all morning. I just don't know if the focus should be on attracting corporations, but on tax reform that stimulates small business. The corporate attraction could create a greater gap between and rich and poor.
You make great points Nolan. It is difficult to know where to even start - totally agree about the different mindset about the around career here. And there are definitely pros to this mindset also. But there seems to be any interest by anyone in changing anything which is worrying. Hopefully we get to chat and debate about it over some cañas some time 🙌🏻
Yeah, man, I'd love it. I'll let you know next time I'm in Galicia. I have family con un piscifactoria cerca de a.Coruña I might go visit again, but I've been wanting to go to Vigo. Also, if you're ever in Valencia or Castellon, let me know. You're more than welcome to crash here if you need.
I do think also there's a sort of historical mindset that distrusts the so called fat cat business owners. Spain is still a very hierarchical society and this attitude seems quite ingrained. The role of funcionario is seen as a sort of bulwark against the "exploiting" classes