Bump in the road

Spain’s soaring industrial output hit by unexpected slump in April

SPAIN’S economic good times hit another bump in the road after preliminary data revealed an unexpected decline in the country’s industrial production in April.

The report, from national statistics agency INE, indicates that output across all sectors, except capital goods, contracted.

It marks a disappointing reversal from the 4.1% growth experienced in March, as economists had

By Walter Finch

hoped for a 1.5% increase.

In fact during April, industrial production decreased by 0.9% from last year.

On an unadjusted basis, industrial output fell by 4%, contrasting with the 5.4%recovery seen in the preceding month.

The contraction in industrial production was primarily driven by a significant 4.9% fall in the

SPAIN’S ‘menstrual leave law’ has come into force.

It means that women can now request paid medical leave when suffering from especially painful periods.

The measure was included in a new abortion law that came into force on June 1.

To request the leave, women will have to get a medical note from their doctor.

According to sources from the government, the law is not designed to cover regular period pain, but rather intense pain that is accompanied by symptoms such as fever or diarrhoea.

Once leave is approved by a doctor, the Social Security system will cover the woman’s salary from the first day that

No slap needed

FLIGHT attendants of a major Australian airline will no longer need to wear high heels or make-up.

Qantas, which in Spain operates to Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and Ibiza, says the new dress code is ‘fit for our times’.

The new policy also allows any cabin crew or ground staff to have long hair, wear diamond earrings, glasses with clear frames or jewellery, including watches.

However, the airline’s employees must continue to hide any tattoos and wear their name badges.

durable consumer goods division, closely followed by a 4.3% decrease in in-

Period leave

the period arrives.

This means that the woman’s employer will not have to cover the cost of the time missed.

The law does not limit the number of days leave available but the norm will be around three days given the usual time period of menstruation.

Figures from the Ministry for Economic and Social Inclusion suggest that there are around 6,000 temporary medical leaves granted every year in Spain due to dysmenorrhea (pain associated with menstruation) or abdominal distension.