Foreign workers decline by 20%

THE average number of foreign workers signed up to Social Security in the Balearic Islands fell last month by 17'142, a drop of 20 percent on October this year which puts the total registered number at 69'201. Of these nearly 30'000 come from EU countries and the remainder from outside the European Union. Central government Employment and Immigration ministry figures show that in relation to November 2007, Social Security affiliation dropped in the Islands by 4 percent (2'872 people less). Hostelry gave work to 12'480 people in the Balearics this November, 49 percent less than the previous month when 24'574 foreign workers were earning a wage here. The construction industry was more stable with only 15 foreign workers less in November than in October.