A large majority of self-employed workers do not perceive an improvement in the economic situation. A total of 80% declare that they are the same or worse than a year ago, so the improvement in the economy does not match their perception of everyday reality. Specifically, the economic situation has improved compared to the first quarter of last year for only 21% of the self-employed, while it has remained the same for 46% and has worsened for 33%, according to the conclusions of the barometer prepared by the National Federation of Associations of Self-Employed Workers (ATA).
A vision of the current situation that is similar to what these workers foresee for the future. Specifically, only one in five believe that their business will grow in the coming months, while 70% estimate that it will not improve, either because it will stay the same or because it will get worse.
With regard to the evolution of the Spanish economy throughout this year, the self-employed are not too optimistic. Only 22% have a positive or very positive perception, while almost 80% believe that it will be negative or very negative.
Regarding the main problems that the self-employed have to assume, inflation stands out, together with the increase in taxes and social contributions. They are followed as difficulties by the increase in the cost of raw materials, the rise in the prices of fuels and electricity. On the other hand, what the self-employed complain the least about in this survey are the cost of rentals, the shortage of some products and the rise in interest rates.
In the presentation of the barometer, the president of ATA, Lorenzo Amor, has asked that the collection of public aid be made compatible with the perception of low-income wages, such as part-time wages. It would be an initiative to encourage more people to enter the labor market. “It is important and fundamental that we copy the Nordic countries,” added Amor, referring to the possibility of reconciling receiving public assistance and at the same time accessing a low-paid job, which would help many people to become active in the labor market without fear of losing the public support they are receiving.
The president of ATA also showed his concern because there are a lack of workers in sectors such as the hotel industry, transportation, construction or new technologies, at the same time that there are 2.8 million unemployed. “Today I was reading that in the Canary Islands there is a need for workers in the hospitality industry and that there are 27,000 people unemployed in this sector,” said Amor, who has criticized the fact that there are people who reject jobs that are within the collective agreements.
