Spain's jobless harvesting French grapes

With unemployment at record levels in Spain, Libération reports that increasing numbers of Spanish workers are seeking seasonal work in southern France. In 2008, 12,000 workers crossed the border — an increase of 15% over 2007 — to take part in the annual grape harvest. Spanish unions forecast that this year their number will rise to 13,500, 12.5% more than in 2008. Most of the Spaniards are Andalusians who are usually employed in the building industry, which has been especially hard hit by the financial crisis in the Iberian peninsula. They are attracted by higher hourly wages – 8.22 euros per hour in France as opposed to 6.10 euros in Spain. In a bid to protect their interests, Spanish unions have advised workers crossing the border to demand properly drafted job contracts. In conclusion Libération notes that one union, the CCOO (Confederación Sindical de Comisiones Obreras), is planning "to inform workers of their rights" by sending "a van to drive around the wine producing regions of southern France."