The Navy League is especially pleased to welcome our fellow member, Sr. D. Fermin Guardiola, to share his thoughts on this pressing topic which has been so much in the news. As a partner in the Madrid office of the prestigious international law firm of Baker & McKenzie and Head of the office’s Labor Department Fermin is eminently qualified to enlighten us on the issues surrounding this contentious subject.   Fermin obtained his law degree from Valencia University in 1986, and thereafter earned diplomas in Labor law (1988) and Coporate law (1989). He has been a member of the Valencia Bar Association since 1986, and the Madrid Bar Association since 1988, where he is also Arbitror of the Court of Arbitration. His other responsibilities include serving as a member of the Executive Committee of FORELAB (Foro Espanol de Laboralistas); the Advisory Committee of the Research Group on Labor Law of Carlos III University; and as a member of the Editorial Counsel for La Ley “Anuario Laboral” for lawyers. He also offers pro bono services to CATA (Centro American Tourism Agency).   His regularly publishes articles concerning Labor Law and Social Security related issues, including “Single European Market Report”, “Labor Law and Social Security in Spain”, Benefits & Compensations International: Total Remuneration and Pension Investment”, etc. He lectures frequently on Human Resources and related issues, as well as speaking at related seminars.   Fermin has been selected by “Which Lawyer?” and Chambers Europe as one of the recommended lawyers for employment issues in Spain