01/09/2026
A note for anyone considering starting or running a business here:
Hiring staff carries significant risk. Before offering any contract, it is essential to obtain proper references and carry out a thorough background check.
Under current rules, an employee can be signed off on long-term medical leave (commonly referred to as “baja”) for extended periods—sometimes up to two years. During that time the employer is generally required to continue paying wages and social-security contributions, with very limited options to challenge or end the arrangement.
This situation has affected many otherwise solid businesses, and it is something every prospective employer should factor into their planning and risk assessment.
