Does Spain have hourly minimum wage rate?

 personally if someone has served me with distinction I always give them a tip as a thank you wherever I am in the world, but I will not tip for slovenly work.

Wow, I can´t believe how much resitance and opposition has been shown towards Gerry´s argument that business ought to pay  fair wages and income tax! What, treat people fairly? Contribute to the social infrastructure? Oh no! We couldn´t do that...I´ve got holidays to take and houses to buy.

I also agree with Gerry when he says whether in Spain or Timbuktoo... the black economy has a negative effect on 1. people 2. the state. This basically means, uh, everyone.

Who is going to take care of these "under the table workers" when they are sick and have no entitlement to state healthcare ´cause of they´re not paying into the SS? They do seem to be doing away with "free" healthcare you know. Who´s going to take care of these people when they´re old and have no pension because they´ve "not  contributed". Not to mention the fact that they don´t get paid for public holidays and vacations. It´s barely a step up from slavery.

I am a part of this corrupt Spanish system because "when in Rome or in Madrid or Athens or..." but I certainly see how it is a flawed system. If you can´t understand how this system is flawed and why it ought to be changed perhaps you are merely a dodgy, unethical business person trying to justify your own "fat" vampire lifestyle or simply need of a check up from the neck up. 

 I guess that some employers will always try and get around the legalities of employing people due to greed and the opportunity of using vulnerable people who are also willing to work outside of the law. 

However, as mentioned, it is often also forced by economics.

Surely the high rate of social security is one of the root causes. For self-employed people running a one-person  part-time business,  250€ per month in social security regardless of revenue is a complete non-starter. I am at a loss to undertand it.

The result is that the business cannot advertise effeciently and therefore cannot move forward and therefore can never afford to 'go legal' and pay social security and taxes too. 

 That's why the costs are so high, to pay for the ones that don't! If everyone paid the costs could then reduce, or at least stay where they are for many many years until it has all caught up.

Thank you earthshaker for your helping me, very well "argued"?

Gerald

I agree Coleen, it is mentally retarded to charge an autónomo €250 regardless of income. To me, this system just makes social mobility more difficult, keeps the poor in their place. Sometimes the Spanish government seems to be its own worst enemy in terms of stimulating entrepeneurship which is what this country seems to need more than anything.  What really annoys me is that there are nobel prize winning economists, Harvard, and Oxford men, intellectual giants,  and yet no one can work out a god damn solution to this global crisis. I have to agree with Coleen again, it´s largely a matter of greed and ignorance. 

 I suppose it does but the Spanish aren't aware of what it is. They just accept what they can get now, they are not in a position to argue

or take anyone to court, unfortunately there still are rogue businessmen who happily exploit their workers and sleep all through the night. They arrogantly think that if they go they've got another 100 on their doorstep the following day. Unfortunately they are right and fortunately for some there still are some decent businessmen around who fight day in and day out to keep their workers happy and motivated and pay their salaries on time.