The Union CCoo Aragon emphasized that the unemployment data in March highlights the «strength» of the labor market, even in a context of international uncertainty, such as the current one, which may dampen the potential growth in European economies, while asserting the recovery of wages, reducing the workday, and strengthening active policies.
In March, there were 51,842 unemployed individuals in Aragon, representing a decrease of 743 people (-1.41%) compared to February of this year and 2,194 fewer (-4.46%) compared to March of the previous year. With these figures, Aragon reaches its lowest number in March since 2008. In Spain, unemployment decreased by 13,111 individuals, with a total of 2,580,138 people.
According to the union, the social security affiliation data published on Wednesday reflects «positive» results in terms of job creation.
For CCOO, «the quality and stability of employment continue to improve due to the changes introduced by the labor reform of 2021, so that the temporary employment rate in March was 12.15%, with 0.8 points less than a year ago and 15.20 points less than in March 2021 (28.65%», employment.
The data presented by SEPE show that «not only more jobs are being created, but they are of higher quality, provided they are based on indefinite contracts, forming increasingly solid and stable employment relationships,» said the employment and CCOO Aragon manager, Carmelo Asensio.
However, he noted that there are still significant areas for improvement to make the labor market more efficient, with salary recovery being one of the key aspects. «The revaluation of the minimum interprofessional wage to €1,184 per month in 2025 (in 14 payments) was undoubtedly very positive news, although it must be complemented with total exemption from personal income tax on all earnings, at least 60% of the average salary,» Asensio said.
Additionally, this agreement should serve as a boost to enhance the remuneration of awarded salaries, so that the increase in the minimum wage does not erode the salary ladder below and helps improve the purchasing power of the entire working population.
CCOO Aragon will also continue to fight to implement, as soon as possible, the 37.5-hour workday, an essential goal for the Union, «whose blockage admits no political or economic justification,» he said.
«This transformation must be accompanied by other measures that improve the quality of employment, such as strengthening the right to disconnect or improving time recording,» said the work and training manager.
He also emphasized that, although the data on employment in recent months is positive, both quantitatively and qualitatively, «it is necessary for this progress to reach all working people.» Therefore, «active employment policies must be strengthened to combat long-term unemployment and improve the most vulnerable groups,» said Carmelo Asensio.
Unemployment falls across the three ARAGOSE provinces. In Zaragoza, there are 253 fewer unemployed individuals, with a total of 40,607 people in INAM (-0.62%); 267 fewer unemployed in Teruel, totaling 4,301 (-5.85%); and 223 individuals left the unemployment lists in Huesca, with a total of 6,934 (-3.12%).
Unemployment also decreased in the Aragsei provinces within their interiors. In the capital, the number of unemployed decreased by 1579 (-3.74%); 223 fewer in Teruel (-4.93%); and 392 fewer in Huesca (-5.35%).
In the third month of the year, unemployment in Aragon decreased among men and women, although the latter continue to represent the majority of the unemployed, with a total of 31,672 females (633 fewer, -2%), compared to 20,170 unemployed males (110 fewer, -0.5%).
Regarding youth unemployment, the number of individuals under 25 years old was 4,958. The number of unemployed foreigners residing in Aragon increased by 13 individuals (0.12%) in March, but decreased by 135 when compared to the same month last year (-19%). Out of the 11,170 foreign individuals unemployed, 3,840 come from a European country, and 7,330 from an additional community.
Across production sectors, unemployment decreased in services, with 781 fewer unemployed (-2.13%), and in industry, with a reduction of 128 individuals (-2.18%). However, increases were recorded in the «no previous employment» group, with several unemployed (+2.09%); in the agricultural sector, 41 more (+2.2%); and in construction, with an increase of 13 individuals (+0.46%).
At the end of the third month of the year, the highest number of unemployed individuals is concentrated in services (35,869) and the Aragonese industry (5,744), while the sectors with the fewest unemployed were agriculture (1,904), construction (2,847), and the group without previous employment (5,478).
Aragon registered a total of 34,037 contracts in March, representing a 12% increase. Out of these, 12,247 were indefinite contracts, while 21,790 were temporary.
Of the total contracts registered in March, 64.02% were temporary and 35.98% were indefinite. Social Security membership in Aragon increased by 3,329 individuals, bringing the total to 619,752 affiliated persons, a 0.54% increase from February. Compared to March 2024, there are 12,092 more affiliated individuals, a 2% increase, indicating that the pace of job creation remains «solid.»
