Andorran Retailers Push for Flexible Worker Quotas to Retain Seasonal Staff

Andorran retailers are urging the government to provide more flexibility in the general worker quota system, allowing them to retain seasonal employees as permanent hires. The demand took centre stage at Thursday's Consell Econòmic i Social meeting, where sector representatives highlighted disruptions caused by overlapping seasonal and general quotas.

Economy, Labour and Housing Minister Conxita Marsol detailed the retailers' request after the session, explaining that businesses sometimes identify strong seasonal workers they would like to keep long-term, but the systems create bottlenecks. Once the seasonal quota opens, access to the general quota becomes effectively closed off. Retailers seek a longer window for the general quota to better match their needs without permanent overlap. "They want some margin to modulate their requirements," Marsol said, adding that the economy is thriving and employers need staff, yet the government aims to moderate demographic growth. "It's not easy to strike that balance."

The minister noted the issue extends across sectors, with quotas set to feature again at the next Consell Econòmic i Social gathering following initial reflections on Thursday.

On construction, Marsol confirmed the Interior Ministry, led by Ester Molné, is examining a temporary quota tied to specific projects—a proposal from the sector this summer that would require changes to the qualified immigration law. No final decisions have been reached, and options remain under study through ongoing talks with industry representatives. Formal proposals will go to the Council of Ministers once refined.

Business leaders, including CEA president Gerard Cadena, have stressed the quotas' broader impact amid retail expansion and called for faster resolutions to meet urgent demands, rather than delays until November. They push for frameworks by October, expanded coverage for trades beyond basic construction roles, and hiring at source to streamline paperwork for third-country nationals and avoid border checks by France and Spain.