Absenteeism in the Spanish construction sector has seen a dramatic increase, as revealed by the Confederación Nacional de la Construcción (CNC). The organization reported that paid but unworked hours constituted 6.2% of the agreed work hours in the previous year, equating to an average of 113 hours lost per construction worker annually, which is double the rate from ten years ago. This absenteeism has translated to a significant economic impact, costing the sector approximately 3.5 billion euros each year.

The CNC's concerns about rising absenteeism reflect broader apprehensions among various economic sectors facing similar issues. In light of this alarming trend, the CNC plans to propose a strategic plan to combat absenteeism to the labor unions. This plan aims to address the growing problem that has repercussions not only on productivity but also on the financial stability of construction companies.

With absenteeism resulting in an average loss of 14 workdays per employee each year, the implications for the workforce and the overall economy are profound. Such high levels of absenteeism could hamper recovery efforts within the sector following economic downturns and threaten the competitiveness of Spanish construction firms in a recovering market. It emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to improve attendance and retain skilled labor in the construction field.