A group of Spanish-Australians working at the Spanish consulate in Sydney claim they have been forced to take up second jobs - such as Uber drivers or soccer coaches - to make ends meet, saying they're stuck on 2008-era wages.
About eight members of the consulate have walked off the job for a second time this year as part of a global day of action protesting wage growth, which is affecting Spanish missions around the world.
“We are Australians working in Australia under an Australian contract, receiving an illegal salary,” striking worker Marcos Redondo told SBS News.
Mr Redondo says they're being paid around $3000, below the Clerk Award. The minimum rate for a level one Clerk is $738 a week.
While it’s a 'global' strike, the dual national staff claim the effects of the pay freeze are felt strongly in Sydney because of the spiraling costs of living in the city.
“We have been [without] a salary increase for nine years, despite the inflation increase in Australia.”
At least half of the group claim they need to work second jobs as Uber drivers, soccer trainers and office workers to make ends meet.
“Without that second salary they are not able to survive,” Mr Redondo claimed.
Some of the workers said they had to move far from Sydney or move back in with their parents to afford to live in the city, while others said they were budgeting living expenses.
Mr Redondo said according to Spanish law, the workers' salaries should reflect the standard of living of the country that the staff are based in.
“They are always saying it’s the consequences of the global financial crisis that was extremely severe in Spain,” Mr Redondo said.
“Due to that, the public servants all round Spain have the (sic) salary freeze for a very long time, but they don’t understand the economic situation in Spain and all over the world is not necessary the same - the inflation is not the same, the living conditions are not the same.
“It’s impossible. The salary is shrinking with the reality of the country with which we are working.”
The group said they engaged local unions two years ago to try to force a compromise, but the Spanish mission is protected under diplomatic immunity.
“Legally we have no way to do anything,” Mr Redondo said.
