Spain advances equal rights for domestic workers by ratifying ILO Convention 189
The plenary session of the Congress of Deputies approved the ratification of treaty 189 of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which expands unemployment protection and strengthens the rights of domestic workers. This decision follows months of parliamentary debate and broad consensus on fairness in the labor market. The vote tally stood at 341 votes in favor, with no votes against and one abstention, reflecting a strong cross-party commitment to social justice.
The government had submitted the agreement to the Cortes just over two months earlier, outlining how domestic workers should receive protections that are genuinely aligned with those enjoyed by other workers in Spain. The measure aims to close gaps in coverage and ensure that the social protection system treats domestic workers equitably, reducing disparities that have persisted under the existing framework.
At present, workers in domestic service who fall under a specific Social Security regime do not qualify for unemployment benefits. This situation has been highlighted by the Court of Justice of the European Union as discriminatory, underscoring the urgency for reform. Parliamentarians welcomed the approval as a necessary step toward aligning Spain with European standards and guaranteeing a dignified and secure working life for these workers.
Supporters described the ratification as a historic milestone that resonates with the principles of justice and dignity. A prominent member of the PSOE, Maria Dolores Narváez, emphasized the moral and social importance of extending basic protections to those who provide essential care at home. This momentum was echoed by domestic workers associations, care groups, and feminist organizations gathered outside the Congress, who celebrated a victory long sought by workers and advocates alike.
With the convention ratified, the government must now implement concrete measures to ensure that domestic workers enjoy fair and decent working conditions comparable to those of other employees. The agreement prioritizes a written contract that clearly outlines employment terms, and it requires employers to disclose conditions of employment in a precise, understandable manner. In addition, the framework seeks to promote equal treatment in all aspects of work, including access to social protections and grievance procedures.
The convention also clarifies the relationship between migrant domestic workers and their employers. It affirms the right of these workers to negotiate terms at the end of their contracts, governs their residence at the workplace, and protects rest periods, travel rights, and the handling of identity documents. Such provisions aim to reduce abuses and provide greater security for workers who often face precarious arrangements when moving between jobs or locations.
Regarding compensation, the convention establishes that salaries should be paid at least monthly and calls for limiting in-kind payments, ensuring that remuneration reflects actual market standards and supports a dignified standard of living. The legislative process will incorporate international norms, with ongoing work to translate treaty commitments into national law that can be effectively enforced across regions and sectors. Once approved, the changes are expected to enter into force through subsequent regulatory measures and ministerial decrees that align Spain with ILO standards.
Second Vice President and Minister of Labor Yolanda Díaz has already signaled that post-approval legislation will move forward to equalize access to unemployment benefits for domestic workers, bridging the gap that has persisted under previous regimes. The government’s commitment to enacted reforms is grounded in data from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, which indicates a substantial portion of workers affected by these reforms. Recent statistics show that hundreds of thousands of people are connected to the domestic work program, with a large majority being women, reflecting gendered patterns in care labor that policy aims to address. (Fuente: Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social e Inmigración.)
The ratification marks a clear step toward modernizing Spain’s social protection system, ensuring that domestic workers receive protections equivalent to those of other employed persons. It signals a broader shift toward recognizing the value of care work and safeguarding the rights and dignity of workers who contribute to households and communities every day. In practical terms, the agreement is likely to influence employer practices, labor inspections, and social security coverage, while enabling better access to unemployment and related benefits for those who lose their jobs in the domestic sector. (Fuente: Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social e Inmigración.)