Several active wildfires across Spain, sick leave doubles since the pandemic, and more news from Spain on Wednesday July 8th.
Several active wildfires across Spain
In the midst of Spain’s second summer heatwave, numerous wildfires have put fire services under strain across much of the country.
As of Wednesday morning, Catalonia has two active fires in the region, the most worrying of which is in Sentmenat (Barcelona), where the situation is critical.
Firefighters are also tackling a blaze that broke out on Tuesday in Selvanera, Torrefeta and Florejacs (Lleida).
Meanwhile authorities in Castile and León and Asturias have set up a joint command centre to coordinate and direct efforts to control a fire at Ribota de Sajambre, which started on the León side of the Picos de Europa.
Sick leave in Spain doubles since the pandemic
According to sick leave data from Spain’s Ministry of Social Security, as of 31st March 1.2 million people were on sick leave due to illness, a figure that is double that of the end of 2019.
The most common reasons for sick leave are musculoskeletal problems and respiratory illnesses.
However, the causes of sick leave that have seen the greatest increase during this period are digestive problems and mental health issues, which currently account for around 10 percent of the total absences.
OECD warns regional disparities and unemployment are Spain’s main weaknesses
The OECD’s Employment Outlook report analysed and compared the labour market situation across its 38 member countries and in Spain, the OECD concluded that unemployment remains the main challenge facing the country’s economy.
Although the Spanish labour market continued to strengthen in 2026, with the unemployment rate falling to 10.3 percent in May compared with 10.6 percent a year earlier, it remains the highest rate among the major OECD economies and well below the average of 4.9 percent.
The OECD also identified a country-wide problem that is more pronounced in Spain: regional inequalities in employment.
In Spain, the gap between the regions at the top and bottom of the employment rankings stands at 15.5 percent, compared with an average of 11.4 percent in countries for which data is available.
Almería town hall paves way for demolition of infamous Algarrobico hotel
Carboneras council, in the southern province of Almería, has approved the revocation of controversial planning permission it granted in 2003 for the construction of the infamous Algarrobico hotel, situated within the Cabo de Gata Natural Park.
This is essential in order to finally demolish the building, a symbol of rampant pre-crisis property speculation on the Spanish coasts that is unfinished and sometimes referred to as a ‘ghost hotel’ and eyesore.
