Figures around 760,000 fewer members and almost 3,000,000 people in ERTE, the majority of force majeure, are the summary of the effects of COVID-19 in Spain, since March 14, when the state of alarm was declared.
In this context marked by the health crisis, the May data reflects an increase of 187,814 members and unemployment that increases by 26,573 people, a figure significantly lower than in March and April.
These data, unlike other crises, are clearly associated with the decisions taken by health authorities to respond to the health emergency. We are referring to the closure of the activity, the limitations to mobility and the de-escalation process, which have had a major impact on the productive reality in the second half of March and the month of April, although it is lessening in May.
Thus, these health decisions translate into both sectors and territories, evidencing the progressive recovery of activity and occupation in the construction and industry sectors, and the practical paralysis of the tourism sector, the one most affected by the mobility limitations imposed both nationally and internationally and due to sanitary restrictions, with a clear impact on occupation in the hotel, hospitality and trade sectors.
By territories, the communities most affected are the communities of Madrid and Catalonia, by the driving force of Barcelona, as they are progressing more slowly in the de-escalation process.
Spanish businesswomen and entrepreneurs are intensely committed to employment. Since the end of April, more than 450,000 people have regained activity, a trend that must be intensified.
From CEOE we reiterate the need to recover normal economic activity quickly and accurately, with the essential sanitary measures to guarantee security, in order to avoid the perpetuation of the effects of the crisis, closely linked to the service sector, which has already highlight an uneven incidence, negatively focused on female and youth employment.
Likewise, we insist on the need to promote internal flexibility measures that allow the rapid adaptation of working conditions to health recommendations and the extension and flexibility of ERTEs as an essential measure to guarantee the maintenance of employment and the progressive recovery of occupation until return to full normality is possible.
