You should be as lucky as I am

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

Okay guys, I report this at the risk of engendering such jealousy that I will become an outcast, but thought you should know of my great good fortune.

I've been working, legally, for a whole two months now.  It is my first employment in Spain.  Today I received a lovely letter from the National Institute of Statistics informing that I have been selected to participate in a survey on the labour market in Spain.  I am one of 70000 households chosen at random for this privilege, and I will cooperate with them once per trimester for the next six trimesters; I make that two years. 

A representative will come to my house (unannounced, naturally) and ask me questions which I am compelled by law to answer.  If I do not the following fines apply:

- minor infraction, 60.10€ - 300.51€
- major infraction, 300.52€ - 3005.06€
- really serious infraction - 3005.07€ - 30050.61€

So there.  I get to participate in this glorious national project which is coordinated with the rest of the EU and you probably don't.   

[Perikles]

Well - seeing that you are working, the obvious response is that when the unannounced visitor comes to the house, you are not there - you are working. That, or you are just off out to go to work and can't be late. So piss off and make an appointment. Oh - you are only at home between 2.00 and 3.00 am, because you are working.

I don't suppose you are legally obliged to give them a phone number are you?

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

No, but they know where I live!

[El Profesor]

W  T  F ?

I thought you were going to say how much you are paid for each interview.

I suppose not being in when they call . . . . to a remote village in the foothills of the southern tip of a rock in the middle of the Atlantic would be classed as a minor infraction. . . . wouldn't it? 

Just don't video it.

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

Prof:


HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

The bell rang and it was the surveyor!  A very nice polite guy who explained the survey to me again.  He had a PC with a rugged cover and wrote my answers in with a pen, no typing.  I had to give:

- name
- date of birth
- place of birth
- citizenship
- date of arrival in Spain
- info on what work I am doing, length of contract, part-time or full-time, hours per week, exact job
- educational qualifications
- all of the above for OH too
- mobile number so they can call me to verify the guy came, and for the subsequent follow ups over the next year and a half

So it was quick, painless, and pleasant and I feel I have done my citizenly duty.

[Perikles]

I'm surprised you are not screaming about privacy, to be honest. I mean, your personal info is available to them anyway, presumably from the data they have about you in connection with the job that triggered this. But I would be well pissed off if they wanted, say, my details because of a job that Janet had.

Also, I would never admit to having a mobile phone - it's not a legal requirement. 

[El Profesor]

................. But I would be well pissed off if they wanted, say, my details because of a job that Janet had.

Also, I would never admit to having a mobile phone - it's not a legal requirement. 

And would you be prepared to back up this pissed offiness with the payment of a fine?

I think they might be trying to work out how X million people are living off nothing so that they can devise a way to tax it.

[Perikles]

And would you be prepared to back up this pissed offiness with the payment of a fine?

I don't see how they could fine you for not knowing your husband's name, date of birth or educational qualifications. And they certainly couldn't fine you for not having a mobile phone, or indeed a landline.

I just don't see how any legislation could force you to give details of a spouse. The guy should ask the spouse directly, who is then under no obligation to answer.

[El Profesor]

just don't get out a video camera