Protecting Domestic Workers: New Proposed Measures by Spain’s Ministry of Labor

In an effort to safeguard the rights of domestic workers, who are often underpaid professionals employed in people’s homes, the Ministry of Labor has proposed a series of new measures. The proposal includes mandating employers to evaluate occupational risks in their homes before hiring domestic workers. This was announced in a royal decree drafted by the ministry and presented to unions for feedback.

However, there have been some concerns raised by unions, particularly about the self-assessment method for evaluating occupational risks and the lack of provisions for inspections in homes. The ministry aims to address these concerns by developing an online tool that will help individuals assess occupational risks at home, eliminating the need for hiring a specialized company for this task.

In addition to this, the proposed decree outlines the employer’s responsibility to provide protection measures for domestic workers and their right to demand training in occupational risks. The ministry also plans to establish a protocol to address instances of violence and sexual harassment against domestic workers. Given that most domestic workers are women, immigrants, and earn very low salaries, they are particularly vulnerable to abuse and harassment.

The decree law approved in 2022 aimed to improve working conditions and social security benefits for domestic workers, granting them access to unemployment benefits and compensation in case of dismissal. The pending adaptation of occupational risk regulations will be aligned with this new decree if an agreement is reached. The ministry is optimistic about aligning Spain’s labor rights for domestic workers with international standards set by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Overall, these proposed measures aim to enhance protection for domestic workers and ensure compliance with international labor standards while addressing specific challenges faced by this group of workers.