In a public address this Friday at a conference hosted by the UGT union, the second vice president and labor minister, Yolanda Díaz, outlined a plan to veto certain company powers under the law. The proposal would permit automatic and appropriate dismissal only in cases that truly reflect a worker’s permanent disability, and it would adjust current practice in favor of protecting health-related tenure. Díaz’s remarks, delivered during a session focused on the future of work, signaled a shift in how health status could influence employment decisions under forthcoming reforms.
The reform would be framed within revisions to Article 49 of the Constitution, aiming to remove a phrase that has, in practice, allowed dismissals tied to diminished abilities. The most recent figures from INE indicate there are around 685,000 workers in Spain whose disabilities are officially certified, underscoring the scale of the issue and the need for clearer protections for people with lasting impairments.
Under the current Labour Regulations, a company may justify an objective and legitimate dismissal if an employee suffers a sudden disability. Article 49.1 specifies that termination may occur in cases of death, serious disability, or total or permanent disability. Díaz stressed that individuals with varying degrees of permanent disability have historically faced different outcomes, and that those who are fully permanently disabled have not always benefited from automatic termination protections. The proposed change would align the law with social justice objectives, ensuring safeguards are in place for workers who rely on ongoing support and accommodation rather than facing abrupt job loss.
“Deep injustice”
During the same address, Díaz highlighted what she termed a deep injustice in the pay structures of large company leadership compared with their employees. She questioned the level of executive compensation and suggested beginning a national conversation about possible caps or other measures to reduce wage disparities. Her comments drew a response from Antonio Garamendi, president of the CEOE, who described the intervention as unnecessary interference in market dynamics.
Díaz also urged business leaders to adhere to tax obligations and joined a broader call from a coalition that included a group of 250 millionaires urging higher taxes for the wealthiest. She urged the business community to act in line with constitutional duties and to balance profitability with social responsibility, emphasizing a shared commitment to the country’s fiscal wellbeing and social cohesion.
The minister reiterated that the reform is designed not to punish employers but to create a fairer framework that protects workers who face health-related changes in their ability to work. By aligning labor rules with contemporary understandings of disability and inclusion, the government aims to strengthen social justice and promote sustainable employment across Spain. The discussions continue as the administration moves forward with the constitutional reform plan and addresses the expectations of workers, unions, and employers alike.