The Congress of Deputies this week turned its attention to two of society’s most vulnerable groups, mainly women who lead and care for others. On Tuesday, the chamber acknowledged a legal initiative aimed at eliminating prostitution. And on Thursday, after some last minute developments, it is expected to ratify Convention 189 of the International Labour Organization, an instrument that promotes equal treatment for domestic workers and the broader workforce.
Since the convention took shape in 2011, feminist networks, unions, and advocacy groups have pressed hard to see Spain join the 35 countries that have ratified it. Progress has been slower than hoped, despite a longstanding commitment by the ruling party that began with the initial solo administration. Spain had hesitated, with lawmaker discussions excluding domestic workers from unemployment benefits—a stance that faced a challenge from the EU Court of Justice, which found that it violated European directives.
For years, domestic workers’ associations described the journey as a long struggle. Local authorities and district representatives remarked that the recent agreement marks only the first step. The essential work of aligning national regulations with the spirit of the international agreement remains ongoing, and industry observers warn that real change may require another year or two. The human cost is evident as voices report ongoing violations that affect women daily, underscoring the urgency of reform, says Ramona Fernández, head of Sindihogar.
Changes
In response to the need for legal reform, feminist organizations and domestic workers unions put forward 11 core demands. They seek a complete transformation of life for caregivers and cleaners, starting with full inclusion in the general social security system. They also call for the elimination of the current unemployment withdrawal limits, the eradication of rough layoffs, and the attainment of pension equality with other workers.
At issue is the recognition that domestic workers, including interns, should not be treated as mere household helpers but as workers with rights. This means negotiated schedules, paid breaks, and holidays that suit the workers themselves rather than the family paying for the service.
600,000 female employees
The planned legislative changes will touch roughly 400,000 people who contribute to the special domestic workers system, the majority being women. An additional 200,000 individuals, according to the Active Population Survey, are engaged in domestic work even if not formally contracted. The union perspective from CCOO emphasizes the moment as a chance for informal employment to transition into formal, with protections that mirror those in other sectors.
Ramona and Amalia describe the present conditions with clarity. Ramona, working in Barcelona, faced barriers to residency despite years of service, and many colleagues operate informally without contracts, receiving pay by the hour. Illness or absence can mean missed pay or unpaid leave. Amalia recalls working as an intern in a household where a mother tended to a frequently traveling child; despite a long 36-hour stretch of work,休息 time was not reliably honored by the family, and leave was often an illusion.
In another account, Amalia describes a pattern where a rest period is declared but not truly respected, leaving workers exhausted and without proper time off. The stories highlight why a robust, rights-based framework is essential for dignity at work and practical rights such as rest, minimum rest days, and fair compensation.
Yolanda Diaz met with industry leaders on Tuesday to outline changes proposed by the Ministry of Labor. The reforms are designed to enable access to unemployment benefits and to provide stronger protections against layoffs. The ministry indicates that the legislative change will be announced in the near term.