http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12359897The telephones to the European employment service Eures have been ringing off the hook this week. The calls are from unemployed Spaniards urgently seeking jobs - in Germany. Eures' German branch has requested applications from Spanish engineers, medics, teachers and tourism professionals. Other skilled workers, who speak German, can also apply.
"It's very hard to find work here, especially something long term," explains Silvia Dominguez, a student nurse in Madrid. Pessimistic about her prospects at home, she decided to learn German and increase her chances.
In stark contrast with Spain, the German economy grew by 3.6% last year. Its unemployment rate ranks among the lowest in the EU. But Germany now needs skilled workers to maintain that momentum, and Spaniards need work. So the two countries' employment agencies have teamed up.
The situation has sparked comparisons with the waves of mass emigration of the 1960s. Then, entire families from poorer, rural Spain left to staff the factories of northern Europe. In 1965, 80,000 people emigrated and in 1969, 100,000 emigrated, mostly to Europe.
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