The cabinet approved a decree this Tuesday after years of debate and several courtroom rulings. It will grant unemployment benefits to domestic workers and, in doing so, end the discrimination this group faced compared with other workers. In Alicante alone, the measure will benefit more than 8,700 people who contribute to the special Social Security regime for this activity, a figure that exceeds 370,000 nationwide.
The decree also introduces several key improvements, such as removing the withdrawal figure and allowing employers to terminate local staff with minimal compensation and without providing a reason. Going forward, the grounds that protect these workers must be substantiated. A study commission will be formed to examine occupational diseases affecting this workforce.
The regulatory change follows Congress approving Spain’s accession to International Labour Organization Convention 189 in June, which already obligates the regulation of unemployment rights for domestic workers.
The decree is welcomed by trade unions, who call it the “honor of housework.” The profession is predominantly female, and unions see it as progress in the feminist cause. The minister of labor and the deputy head of government underscored the importance of the text during its presentation.
In Alicante, among 8,747 contributors with an average private Social Security regime in the last month of January, 8,222 were women, about 94% of the total. “Not all requests are included, but this is a very positive step. It provides workers with safety,” commented Yolanda Carillo, a union representative from the CC OO Construction and Services Federation in l’Alacantí-les Marines. She also expressed the belief that access to unemployment benefits will motivate women who previously avoided registering with Social Security to regularize their situation with their employer.
The general secretary of l’Alacanti and the UGT in the Navy also recalled that many workers in this group are foreign nationals who must contribute to regularize their status.
“This change advances a duty that serves society by recognizing the work of those who care for our homes and frequently support our loved ones. It highlights that further progress is needed on issues such as disease prevention and occupational hazards in a role that often requires physical effort and may involve handling chemical products,” noted Sánchez, highlighting the path ahead for broader protections.
After the government approved the decree on Tuesday, October 1, unemployment contributions and the Salary Guarantee Fund become mandatory. This will raise payments currently made by domestic workers and their employers. To prevent overburdening contributors, the administration may offer an 80% exemption on these new contributions.
Domestic workers will start contributing to unemployment in October
In addition, the joint entitlement to sick leave or accident leave maintains a 20% reduction on contingency contributions and other existing bonuses tied to household composition, such as larger families or income levels.
Discrimination against domestic workers, who previously lacked the right to strike, was particularly evident during the election period. While other workers accessed ERTE benefits, many in this group were left unable to work and without corresponding benefits.
Higher contributions for unemployment rights mean a rate of 6% of gross income, with 5 percentage points borne by the employer and 1 by the worker. An additional 0.2% would go to Fogasa. With an 80% bonus, the monthly amount would rise to approximately 31.38 euros for full-time workers, making the financial impact manageable for many families.