Aragon will receive nearly 2,000 workers from China to build the CATL and Stellantis gigafactory

All the figures surrounding the megaproject through which Stellantis and China’s CATL jointly seek to build the 
gigafactory in Figueruelas are significant. The joint venture plans to invest more than € 4.1 billion to produce up to one million electric batteries per year starting in 2028, when the complex is fully operational.

However, at a time when the initial works are beginning to build a factory that will occupy 80 hectares and generate around 3,000 direct jobs, it is important to detail the most immediate roadmap for building and launching this space, which will be located next to the current Stellantis plant in Figueruelas.

ARRIVAL OF WORKERS

For now, and as Cadena SER reported in recent hours, nearly 2,000 skilled workers from China are expected to travel with CATL to Aragon to undertake the construction and commissioning of the gigafactory. ARAGÓN PRESS has confirmed that the transfer of employees will be gradual, with the first 74 CATL workers and another 200 subcontractors expected to arrive during 2025.

Starting in 2026 , another 180 CATL employees and nearly 1,400 additional contractors are expected to be relocated, figures that will continue to grow in 2027 and 2028. Furthermore, according to sources close to the DGA, the procedure “is not unusual” and is “relatively common,” although the specific dates of the relocations are unknown for now.

LEGAL BASIS THROUGH A BILATERAL AGREEMENT

Although all the details have not yet been revealed, the Government delegate in Aragon, Fernando Beltrán, explained this week on the program La Rebotica on Radio Zaragoza that the Government of Aragon and the central government are already working together to implement a bilateral agreement that will allow Chinese workers arriving in Aragon to maintain their working conditions and their contributions to their country’s Social Security system.

At the national level, there is a current agreement between Spain and China establishing that these employees can continue to contribute contributions in China for up to six years, without having to contribute to pension or unemployment benefits in Spain. However, they will be covered in Spain for work-related accidents and occupational diseases. To do so, they must present an official document issued by the Chinese authorities, and companies in Spain must open a specific account to manage these contributions.

STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH AND EDUCATION SYSTEM

Beyond the legal basis, multiple challenges now arise with the arrival of such a large number of workers from a diverse sociocultural background, who will settle in a predominantly rural area such as Figueruelas.

The Minister of Finance and the Interior, Roberto Bermúdez de Castro, spoke about this on Wednesday after the Government Council meeting, replacing Government Spokesperson and Minister of Economy Mar Vaquero, who was on an official trip to Madrid. According to Bermúdez de Castro, it’s now “logically” necessary to determine how many people will actually arrive and, based on that, strengthen health centers and schools in the municipalities receiving these people. 

“We will have to put the entire Aragonese healthcare, social, and education system in a position to serve everyone,” the Aragonese minister briefly stated. Another important challenge will be housing.