4. General results
4.4. Main areas for improvement
The priority areas of action have been selected based on the size of the gap between the importance investors attribute to them and the
rating they have awarded them. These include the following:
1. Language skills
Foreign investors once again place language skills in the Spanish labor force as the second most important aspect of the whole survey and,
just like last year, expectations are not fulfilled in this respect as they award Spain a very low rating in this area.
2. Assumption of responsibilities and objectives
This is the most important aspect of the whole survey for foreign investors, and although the rating obtained by the Spanish labor force as
regards assumption of responsibilities and objectives is positive and noticeably higher than that relating to language skills, it is not sufficient
to fulfill the expectations of investors, and, moreover, has dropped since last year, which makes it a clear area for improvement.
3. Dismissal costs
Dismissal costs receive the lowest rating out of the whole survey and are one of the main causes for concern aired by investors. This fact is
consistent with other prestigious international rankings such as the Global Competitiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum or
Doing Business released by the World Bank which also rank Spain very low as regards dismissal costs.
4. Labor legislation meeting the needs of companies
This is also one of the recurring issues over recent years. Foreign investors consider it is one of the most important aspects and the rating
Spain receives is not positive. Surveys such as the Global Competitiveness Report place Spain in very low positions as regards labor legislation,
as well as in terms of employment flexibility and hiring and dismissal practices.
5. Bureaucratic burden in running a company
Although it is not one of the most important issues for foreign investors in Spain, the rating is not positive and fails to fulfill expectations,
dropping in relation to last year’s rating too.
6. Speed and efficiency of commercial courts
The functioning of commercial courts is not a priority either for foreign investors, but the low rating awarded to Spain in this respect means it
should be considered as an area for improvement.
7. Social insurance contributions for workers
Again new aspects relating to the labor market are considered far from adequate by investors, whom in this instance award a low rating to
Spain regarding Social Security contributions for workers, which is noticeably below the importance they ascribe to this aspect.
Barometer of the Business Climate in Spain, 2010 results
General results
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