The National Construction Confederation (CNC) has launched a warning to the Government on the possible consequences of hardening the time registration, in this case for the construction sector. According to the employer, the proposed measure could reduce the workers’ salaries up to 27%, which would be equivalent to an annual loss of approximately 7,000 euros per employee.
In a recent statement collected by Europa Press This Thursday, the CNC said that this salary reduction would negatively affect the competitiveness of the sector, making it difficult to incorporate new workers. Currently, it is estimated that some 700,000 professionals in construction are missing. The employer emphasizes that the lack of qualified labor is already a serious problem, and what measures such as the proposal would only worsen the situation.
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The CNC, the construction employer, warns that a stricter time control could cut salaries and hinder the arrival of new workers to the sector
In fact, the lack of qualified labor is already one of the main challenges of the industry, which would make this regulation even more aggravate the situation. “A more strict time record could put the viability of many companies at risk and stop hiring,” they said in statements collected by Europa Press
In addition, the CNC warns that the measure could hinder the execution of compromised works, many of them financed with European funds. In fact, the National Confederation of Construction has indicated that the State Housing Plan 2026-2030 and other key projects assigned in the recovery plan could be negatively affected if the tightening of the time record is implemented, deriving in delays and cost overruns. The reason for this is that many works depend on a margin of flexibility in the organization of work.
They propose to make overtime more flexible
This is why Place of hardening the time registration, the CNC proposes to make the overtime regime more flexible. The employer suggests allowing up to 1.5 overtime per day in situations of production peaks, adjusted execution deadlines and infrastructure and housing needs. The CNC argues that this measure would contribute to improving the competitiveness of the sector and to cover the demand for labor.
The CNC also estimates that, if the overtime limit was extended, the State could enter more than 5,015 million euros for social security contributions and retentions for IRPF. These income could contribute to finance a part of the total cost of pensions in Spain.
In the background, what is at stake is also the future of the sector. Construction, one of the pillars of the Spanish economy, has been dragging problems such as the lack of generational relief and the escape of workers to other more attractive sectors. From the CNC they warn that it now hardens the time control “would be like putting more obstacles” when what is really needed is to attract young talent and offer better conditions to guarantee the growth of the activity in the coming years.
From the CNC they point out that hardening the time record could stop the housing plan
Finally, from the employer they point out that the real effort should be aimed at monitoring how extra hours are carried out, guaranteeing both their payment and that they are reflected in payroll and quotation. In his opinion, the logical thing would be to leave the organization of these hours in the hands of the negotiation between entrepreneurs and unions, “as is the case throughout Europe.”
The CNC also warns that the new Royal Decree on time registration, still in the public consultation phase, would mean a considerable increase in labor costs in the sector. Currently, these expenses are around 3,300 euros per worker, “maximum of the historical series”, which could put many construction companies in trouble.
The Ministry of Labor, on the other hand, defends that greater time control is necessary to guarantee the rights of employees and avoid abuse. From the Government they insist that it is a measure designed to give more security to workers, although negotiation with the employer is still open and there is still no definitive solution on the table.