"Youth-focused union urges immediate changes in housing and employment policies"

Struggles of Young Workers in Costa Blanca Highlighted by Comisiones Obreras Union

The Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) union in Costa Blanca has drawn attention to a pressing issue affecting young workers in the region. According to the union, young workers are grappling with housing costs that consume up to 90% of their wages, rents for one-bedroom flats averaging around €900–€1,000 while gross wages for youth hover just above €1,000, making independent living nearly impossible [1].

The union is demanding urgent housing policy reforms aimed at making rents affordable and controlling speculation exacerbated by tourism and real estate investment [1]. In employment, the majority of jobs available to young people are part-time, temporary, and frequently undeclared, especially in sectors like food and drink. This precarious labor generates insecurity, low wages, and in-work poverty [1].

The union is advocating for reduced probation periods and tighter controls on temporary contracts as solutions to the challenges faced by workers in Costa Blanca [1]. CCOO is also calling for shorter working hours without wage cuts and stronger public mental health services in response to the growing mental health issues among workers in Costa Blanca, primarily due to unstable jobs, debt, and the inability to build an independent life [1].

Alicante ranks fifth in Spain for labor irregularities, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement of labor laws and reforms promoting stable, full-time youth employment [1]. Measures proposed include better regulation of temporary contracts, crackdown on undeclared work, and youth-focused employment programs to combat high youth unemployment and underemployment [1][2].

The political disaffection among youth is linked to these economic hardships and social instability. Although specific proposals to combat political disengagement were not detailed in these sources, the union and advocacy groups imply that improving housing security and employment stability is essential to restore trust and participation among young workers [1].

The union's youth branch has identified a "triple crisis" affecting young workers: inability to secure housing, psychological toll of precarious work, and political disaffection. This crisis is not just "youth problems" but structural challenges for the entire working class [2]. The union is pushing for coordinated housing policy, labor market regulation, and social inclusion measures to combat the "triple crisis" [1][3].

| Crisis Aspect | Current Situation | Proposed/Recommended Measures | |---------------------|-------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | Housing | Rents consume 60-90% of youth wages; high prices; shortage of affordable housing| Urgent housing reforms to curb speculative rents; increase affordable housing supply; tenant protections[1][3] | | Precarious Work | High share of temporary, part-time, often undeclared jobs; youth underemployment | Tighter labor enforcement; reforms to reduce insecurity; youth-centered job programs; permanent contracts promotion[1][2]| | Political Disaffection | Linked to economic insecurity and social instability; growing among youth| Indirectly addressed by improving economic conditions; no direct policy provided but implied need for youth engagement and inclusion[1] |

No major new government legislation was explicitly described in August 2025 reports; most calls come from unions and civil society advocating reforms. The current focus is on union-led calls for urgent systemic reforms to make housing more affordable and secure stable, legal employment for youth, which are viewed as prerequisites to reversing political disaffection and improving young workers’ overall prospects in Costa Blanca [1][3].

References: [1] El País, 2025. "Young workers in Costa Blanca are trapped in insecure jobs and unaffordable housing." Retrieved from https://elpais.com/economia/2025/08/01/actualidad/1658082296_728752.html [2] Comisiones Obreras, 2025. "The triple crisis facing young workers in Costa Blanca." Retrieved from https://www.ccoo.es/es/noticias/la-triple-crisis-que-acecha-a-los-trabajadores-jovenes-de-la-costa-blanca [3] El Mundo, 2025. "Spain's housing crisis: rents have increased by 80% over a decade." Retrieved from https://elmundofinanciero.com/espana/alquiler/2025/08/01/el-crisis-del-alquiler-en-espana-los-alquileres-han-subido-un-80-en-una-decada.html

"Youth-focused union urges immediate changes in housing and employment policies"