Geschlechtergleichheit

Over the last year, Spain has made considerable progress towards  gender equality. Birth leave is more equal, and each parent is now entitled to 16 weeks of fully paid leave under the National Social Security System. Other leave entitlements such as leave for caregivers of dependent relatives have been harmonised between men and women, marking significant strides towards shared caregiving responsibilities.[1] However, despite the advanced legislation on equal pay currently in place, there are flaws in its implementation, the NSG notes: women in Spain earn on average 18.4% less a year than men.[2] The widespread misuse of part-time contracts, particularly in female-dominated sectors, further exacerbates this issue. This practice, identified as discriminatory by both the European Court of Justice and the Constitutional Court, poses a serious barrier to women’s full integration into the labour market and to economic justice, so it must be addressed.

[1] Projecto Artemisia (2024) Guide to frequently asked questions regarding work-life balance and co-responsibility: https://proyectoartemisaugt.org/docs/guia-de-consultas-mas-frecuentes-en-materia-de-conciliacion-y-corresponsabilidad/ 

[2] INE (2024) Annual average for the four quarters - Employed persons: https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Datos.htm?t=4856

Angemessene Löhne

Some important initiatives in Spain over recent years have aimed to promote adequate wages and preserve workers' purchasing power. These include the Labour Reform of December 2021, the V Agreement for Employment and Collective Bargaining (V AENC) signed in May 2023,  and the agreement to raise the Minimum Interprofessional Wage in 2024. The V AENC outlines guidelines agreed by employers' organizations and labour unions to regulate various aspects of collective bargaining, including wage increases, recruitment, and working conditions. The agreement proposed a 4% increase in wages in 2023, with a possible extra 1% if prices (as measured by the Consumer Price Index, or CPI) would have risen more than 4% by the end of the year. The CPI in 2023 rose by 3% and therefore the agreement did not apply. In 2024, wages are scheduled to rise another 3%, which will again be boosted by an extra 1% if inflation is above 3%. The same pattern is scheduled to apply in 2025, with a 3% wage increase and a potential extra 1% if inflation exceeds 3%.[1] In other words, this agreement aims to restore workers' purchasing power over three years and guarantees a wage revision in the event that the increase in the CPI is particularly high. This initiative has had a positive effect on labour relations and the labour market, especially by protecting low-paid workers who include mainly women, young people, migrants and other workers in vulnerable situation, which overall improved the in-work poverty situation.

Trade unions (the General Union of Workers and the Workers' Commissions) and the Spanish government agreed in January 2024 on an increase in the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI) – Spain’s statutory minimum wage – of 5%, raising it to €1,134 per month.[2] This represents an increase of €54 a month from 2023. Since 2016, the SMI has risen by 73.1%.[3] The rise is part of a broader effort to improve the adequacy of minimum wage as outlined in Art. 2 of the European Social Charter, as well as to meet the criteria of adequacy indicated in the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive, which include the 60% of the average median wage and the 50% of the average wage thresholds. . The higher SMI has improved income distribution, helped many precarious households, and contributed to a reduction in in-work poverty. It has also played a crucial role in narrowing the gender pay gap, particularly benefiting women, who are disproportionately affected by low wages. Overall, around 2.5 million workers, or 14.6% of the workforce, will benefit from the 2024 increase. Various forms of cohabitation are now better accommodated in Spain. People with registered partnerships now receive the same 15-day leave as married couples, and leave for hospitalisation or surgery – which has increased from two to five days – has been extended beyond spouses to unmarried partners and relatives. Additional provisions include eight weeks of unpaid parental leave, extended rights for unmarried partners and their families, and leave in cases of force majeure.

Sozialer Dialog

The NSG highlights that the last legislature (December 2019 – August 2023) was marked by effective social dialogue aimed at advancing social progress. This resulted in the 2021 Labour Reform, which improved workers' rights and conditions and led to greater job quality and stability, and the 2023 V AENC, which enhanced collective bargaining, increased real wages, and improved job quality. The V AENC also addressed crucial issues such as technological and ecological changes, gender equality, protection for LGBTQ+ individuals, and sexual and gender-based violence. Both agreements have had significant positive impacts on Spain's labour relations and market, according to the NSG. Thanks to a reinforced social dialogue for instance, the number of registered unemployed dropped to 2,727,003 in March 2024, the lowest March figure since 2008. Job enrolment has increased by over 1.6 million since December 2019, before the COVID pandemic, according to social security statistics. The proportion of workers with permanent contracts reached a record high of 87%, up 17 percentage points since the labour reform, while temporary employment fell to a historic low of 13%.[4]

The NSG highlights that the new labour legislation significantly increased the number of collective bargaining agreements. In 2023, 1,351 agreements were signed, up from 908 in 2021. In addition, around 400,000 more workers were covered by collective bargaining agreements in 2023 than in 2021. By the end of 2023, approximately 11 million workers had been affected by new labour legislation, of which 92%  benefitted from improvements in the collective agreements. The NSG anticipates that the current legislature, which began in August 2023, will continue to advance social dialogue as a means of achieving progress and democratic development. Key goals include reducing the working week to 38.5 hours in 2024 and 37.5 hours in 2025 without cutting wages, implementing measures for real equality for LGBTQI+ individuals, and enhancing social security benefits.

[1] Ministry of Labour and Social Economy (2023) Resolution of 19th May 2023, of the Directorate General for Labour, registering and publishing the 5th Agreement for Employment and Collective Bargaining: https://www.mites.gob.es/ficheros/ministerio/sec_trabajo/ccncc/D_AspectosNormativos/AcuerdosInterconfederales/23-1714-EN-BOE-A-2023-12870-consolidado-ingles.pdf

[2] salariominimo.es (2024) Minimum Interprofessional Wage: https://www.salariominimo.es/

[3] Mites.gob.es (2024) Evolution of the interprofessional minimum wage: https://www.mites.gob.es/estadisticas/bel/SMI/indice.htm

[4] INE (2024) Labour market: https://ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/es/categoria.htm?c=Estadistica_P&cid=1254735976595

Armutsbekämpfung

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable households have struggled to meet basic expenses due to ongoing challenges such as the socio-economic consequences of the Ukraine conflict, rising energy costs, and inflation. Efforts stemming from the NRRP often miss those most in need. The Living Conditions Survey 2023 revealed a slight reduction in Spain’s rates of inequality and poverty. However, it also highlighted a concerning rise in severe material and social deprivation, from 7.7% to 9% of the population. Additionally, the AROPE rate, which measures the risk of poverty and social exclusion, has increased to 26.5% in 2023, up from 26% the previous year. This highlights the persistent, structural nature of poverty and social exclusion in the country.[1]

Despite rising incomes, many households still struggle with housing and essential costs, underscoring the need to tackle the growing burden of expenses alongside that to increase incomes. Although real incomes in Spain rose 12% from 2008 and 2021, poverty and deprivation persist. This reflects the inequality in incomes growth: the real incomes of wealthier families have grown, while lower incomes have improved little. In addition, rising living costs, particularly of housing, utilities, food, and transport, are consuming a large portion of household income, leaving many families struggling to cover other basic needs. The NSG emphasises the need for public administrations to enhance support not just for income but also for housing and social benefits to most deprived families. They should also promote stable employment and guarantee the right to an adequate standard of living, not only by supporting income, but especially tackling the expenditure-side of poverty, which is related to increasing costs of housing, food and other essential goods and services.

Zugang zu einer hochwertigen Gesundheitsversorgung

Spain is still failing to ensure access to healthcare for many people, particularly vulnerable groups such as migrants. A report by Médecins du Monde documents over 17,000 cases from January to September 2023 in which people from vulnerable groups experienced barriers in accessing the National Health System (SNS).[2] The Royal Decree-Law 7/2018, which aimed to improve access to healthcare, faced criticism from the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for not fully addressing restrictions left over from earlier reforms. It was also criticised for imposing new requirements on irregular migrants, such as proving they have been in Spain for over three months.[3] This law also excludes certain vulnerable groups with irregular migrant status, such as minors and pregnant women, from guaranteed healthcare, and it affects elderly migrants with residence permits, as the current legislation denies the right to health care, leaving them in a situation of total lack of protection. Social organisations have reported the neglect of serious illnesses such as cancer and HIV due to gaps in health coverage under the law.[4] (3) Despite six years of implementation, the Ministry of Health has not assessed the law's effectiveness or addressed its shortcomings, and most Autonomous Communities (self-governing regions with their own governments, powers, and legislation, granted by the Spanish Constitution) fail to report data on foreign residents' health card access, complicating efforts to measure health exclusion.(4)[5] However, evidence from civil society has prompted the Ministry of Health to pursue legislative reform to extend health coverage to excluded migrants. A draft law on universal healthcare, which began parliamentary proceedings in 2022 but was interrupted by early elections, was reintroduced by the new government in May 2024.

The NSG notes several barriers to accessing healthcare. Physical barriers arise from difficulties such as limited access to health centres and restricted opening hours. Financial barriers include the inability to afford necessary medication. [6] Information and language barriers are also present, often due to inadequate interpretation services. Finally, cultural barriers, resulting from care that is not respectful of or tailored to the specific needs of vulnerable groups, deter some people from seeking help. The most vulnerable individuals face numerous obstacles to accessing healthcare, a structural issue that remains inadequately addressed. A Médecins du Monde report recommends that the Spanish government and congress pass a universal health law guaranteeing health protection and care for all foreigners with effective residence, regardless of their administrative status. It also suggests improving access to medicines, streamlining healthcare procedures nationwide, and enhancing support for asylum seekers. Autonomous Communities are urged to provide translation services, strengthen social services, avoid additional procedures for foreigners, train health workers in regulations and anti-racism, and ensure adequate public transport to health facilities.

Gehäuse

The housing crisis in Spain is worsening, as increasing numbers of people struggle to access affordable housing. From the first half of 2022 to the first half of 2023, national average rental prices increased by 9.3% and home purchase prices by 3.1%, according to the latest data from the Emancipation Observatory of the Spanish Youth Council (CJE).[7]

Young people in Spain face significant challenges in moving out of their parents' homes, primarily due to the high median rent of €944 per month in early 2023. This amount consumes nearly 94% of an average young person’s net salary, which has dropped 3.3% in purchasing power due to rising costs despite a 5% increase in absolute terms to €12,063 per year in 2023 compared to 2022. Youth homelessness is also a serious concern: the number of homeless individuals increased from around 23,000 in 2012 to 28,500 in 2022. This figure excludes those living permanently on the streets, and estimates suggest that the true number could be 30% higher. The Ombudsman’s 2023 Annual Report identifies young people as a particularly vulnerable group with regards to social housing, as they struggle to access it due to high prices and limited supply.[8]

In 2023, the Bono Alquiler Joven (Youth Rental Subsidy) faced numerous complaints due to delays in processing applications and payments. Regional administrations struggled with high application volumes and capacity issues, leading to significant delays and non-compliance with processing time limits. In addition, recent complaints have highlighted concerns over the impact of tourist rentals on local residents. The State Plan for Access to Housing 2022-2025 aims to increase affordable housing and provide targeted support, particularly for young people and those in vulnerable residential situations, through enhanced funding and aid for both renting and buying homes in smaller municipalities. The NSG highlights several key measures: Law 12/2023 for the Right to Housing, Spain’s first law regulating the right to housing since the approval of the Constitution, aims to eradicate homelessness through a focus on housing and requalification of abandoned houses Until now the lack of action of public institutions has exacerbated the housing situation. The National Strategy for the Fight Against Homelessness 2023-2030 seeks to eliminate street homelessness by 2030. In March 2023, the Government introduced SERPAVI, a rental price index to guide landlords and tenants on fair rental prices with the aim of controlling price increases and providing current market information.

While the NSG acknowledges the progress made thanks to measures to address the housing crisis, it believes that these public initiatives remain inadequate to fully resolve the challenges faced by Spanish youth in securing decent and affordable housing. In the current legislature, several initiatives have been introduced to address youth housing, including proposals to make it easier to buy a home for the first time, improve the Bono Alquiler Joven (Youth Rental Subsidy), and assess the impact of recent measures on young people's access to housing. In addition, the Housing Minister has been called on to explain strategies to tackle housing challenges, and numerous questions have been raised over regional and national housing policies. Spain's housing policy is divided among different levels of government. The State oversees national regulations and basic housing rights, while Autonomous Communities handle their own housing laws and social housing programmes. Local authorities manage public housing and building maintenance. The local and regional levels is where housing policies are currently failing, the NSG notes. Given this division, effective dialogue with regional youth councils at all levels and robust monitoring mechanisms are crucial to ensure successful housing policies and their implementation.

[1] National Statistical Institute (2024) Living Conditions Survey (LCS). Year 2023. Final results: https://www.ine.es/dyngs/INEbase/en/operacion.htm?c=Estadistica_C&cid=1254736176807&menu=ultiDatos&idp=1254735976608

[2] Médecins du Monde (2023) II Report on barriers to the National Health System in vulnerable populations: https://www.medicosdelmundo.org/app/uploads/2023/11/informe_barreras_2022_mayo_2023.pdf

[3] OHCHR (2020) Statement by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston, on the conclusion of his official visit to Spain, 27 January – 7 February 2020:  https://www.ohchr.org/es/2020/02/statement-professor-philip-alston-united-nations-special-rapporteur-extreme-poverty-and

[4] Reder (2024) Universal healthcare for all.https://www.reder162012.org/

[5] Sanidad Universal (2022), El derecho a la asistencia sanitaria en las comunidades autónomas: Un derecho hecho pedazos: https://yosisanidaduniversal.net/materiales/informes/informe-derecho-asistencia-sanitaria-comunidades-autonomas

[6] Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas - CIS (2024), Health Barometer 2024:

https://www.sanidad.gob.es/estadEstudios/estadisticas/BarometroSanitario/home_BS.htm

[7] Emancipation Observatory (Spanish Youth Council) (2024) Analysing youth employment and housing: https://www.cje.org/investigacion/#observatorio

[8] CJE (2024) Emancipation Observatory-Analyzing youth employment and housing: https://www.cje.org/investigacion/#observatorio

Einbindung von Organisationen der Zivilgesellschaft in den zivilen Dialog

The CIVICUS Monitor classifies Spain’s civic space as "Narrowed," a status unchanged since 2018.[1] Diese Einstufung zeigt, dass Einzelpersonen und zivilgesellschaftliche Organisationen zwar ihr Recht auf Vereinigungsfreiheit, friedliche Versammlung und freie Meinungsäußerung wahrnehmen können, diese Rechte jedoch häufig durch Schikanen, Verhaftungen oder Angriffe auf Kritiker der Machthaber sowie durch übermäßige Gewalt bei Protesten und politischen Druck auf die Medien verletzt werden.

Spain’s third sector consists of over 28,000 social entities and civil society organisations and has gained increasing prominence and institutional recognition, the NSG reports. Notably, the creation in 2013 of the Commission for Civil Dialogue with the Third Sector Platform marked a significant step in fostering dialogue between public authorities and civil society organisations. It was further reinforced by Law 43/2015, which established a formal role for civil-society entities in shaping social regulations and policies. Since its establishment, the Commission has achieved significant progress by advancing specific regulations and public policies aimed at defending citizens' rights and improving the quality of life, particularly for those in poverty and the socially excluded. Notable accomplishments include the approval of the Third Sector Social Action Act and the Volunteering Act, which aim to strengthen the participation of the Third Sector in the design and application of public policies for social inclusion. Civil dialogue commissions and roundtables have also been established at regional level, mirroring the state commission’s objectives and format. These bodies facilitate dialogue between civil society organisations and regional governments. There are currently seven such commissions in various communities. However, despite the establishment of these official dialogue spaces, interactions between CSOs and public administrations have not always been smooth or consistent.

At the national level, two parties – the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030 along with the Third Sector Platform – signed a Framework Agreement in 2021. This agreement has been pivotal in enhancing collaboration and recognising the sector's role in contributing to the quality and effectiveness of public policies. It focuses on strengthening official dialogue and collaboration, improving funding for third-sector entities, and advancing regulatory developments. Progress was made on several fronts, including advances towards the approval of the Royal Decree on Collaborating Entities, regulating the cooperation between public authorities and the Third Sector; continued oversight of the Framework Collaboration Agreement, stemming from the Royal Decree previously mentioned; and efforts to improve the 0.7 measure – one of the main sources of funding for third sector organisations in Spain which gives legal status to the commitment taken on by Spain to allocate 0.7% of Gross National Income to Official Development Assistance by 2030.[2] Crucial laws such as the Family Law and future Social Services Law were also advanced, which represents progress for those civil society organisations that are also social services providers.

Various civil dialogue platforms were promoted during the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2023. The Third Sector Platform and its members proposed initiatives to advance the European Pillar of Social Rights, establish a European Directive on Minimum Income, and harmonise policies on migration, asylum, social cohesion, and cultural diversity across the EU. In 2023, the Third Sector Platform and EAPN Spain contributed to the National Reform Programme 2023 by advocating for transformative changes in the economic and social model. Aiming to enhance equality and improve welfare and quality of life, they called for policies that promote a sustainable, fair, and equitable recovery. A new civil dialogue space was also established in 2023 between the Third Sector Platform and the Ministry of Finance and Public Function, focusing on open government and the rights of vulnerable individuals. The Third Sector Platform presented recommendations aimed at promoting a genuinely inclusive open government, as part of the IV Open Government Plan (2020-2024).

[1] CIVICUS (2023) Spain: https://monitor.civicus.org/country/spain/

[2] Ministry of External Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation (2024) Government pushes through its Law on Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Global Solidarity: https://exteriores.gob.es/en/Comunicacion/NotasPrensa/Paginas/2023_NOTAS_P/20230209_NOTA08.aspx

Decent jobs in the green transition

Companies, social entities, and the government are increasingly focused on creating and supporting green jobs, the NSG reports. The Spanish Green Growth Group, comprising 57 companies, is leading this effort, though many others also contribute to green employment.[1] The Green Employment Platform – a collaboration between Ingeus (an employment centre), ECODES (an NGO), the Spanish Green Growth Group, and the Polytechnic University of Madrid –  helps people in vulnerable situations to find employment in new green jobs.[2] This alliance has trained over 1,000 people, completed six projects, and is working on eight more. The focus is both on creating new green jobs and converting existing ones. Social entities are essential to providing training for those excluded from the labour market due to factors such as age, sex, or lack of training. Public administration also plays a key role: a recent study by Carbone 4 and ECODES indicates that a proposed Sustainable European Public Procurement Law could create over 23,600 green jobs and reduce Spain’s carbon footprint by 30%.[3]

Zugang zu Energie und Energiearmut

According to the Report on Energy Poverty Indicators in Spain 2022, the percentage of late payments of energy bills slightly improved to 9.2% in 2022, compared to 9.5% in 2021, probably also due to the social shield promoted by the government that guaranteed electricity, oil-based fuels, gas and water supplies to vulnerable categories.[4] The rate of people with inadequate heating significantly worsened, rising to 17% (approximately 8 million people), up from 14% in 2021. This sharp increase suggests that many households restricted their heating to avoid high bills, possibly due to the steep rise in the cost of energy in 2022, which resulted in high energy costs for many households. These costs led to increased spending on energy and a rise in the rate of households unable to adequately heat their homes. The Report on Energy Poverty shows that 17% of households spent more than twice the national average on energy, up from 15% in 2021, while 11.8% of households spent less than half the national average, up from 10.12% the previous year. For lower-income families, the rate of energy poverty declined slightly, to 13.14% from 14.62% in 2021, with a reverse trend compared to the rest of Europe thanks to the robust public support by the government through benefits protecting the most vulnerable social groups, and the entire population more broadly, from the energy-prices crisis. However, severe hidden energy poverty—where households use less than a quarter of the energy they need—remained stable, with over 2 million households affected, a rate of 10.58%. While this number is still troubling, its stability suggests that measures to protect against rising energy costs were effective and that if energy prices decrease and the protective measures continue, there could be improvements in the future. [5][6]

The percentage of households experiencing inadequate home temperatures rose to 20.7% in 2023, according to the latest Living Conditions Survey (LCS) by National Institute for Statistics (INE)

Zugang zu nachhaltiger Mobilität

Transport poverty steadily increased from 2006 to2018, due to rising energy prices and falls in income following the 2008 financial crisis, the NSG reports. A slight reduction in transport poverty rates was observed from 2018 onwards, which intensified in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to a sharp drop in transport consumption, which coupled with the sharp drop in fuel prices, led to a significant reduction in transport poverty levels.

In response to the surge in fuel prices in 2022 due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the Spanish government introduced several initiatives to alleviate the impact on households and improve access to transportation.[7] A subsidy of €0.20 per litre was applied to fuel from April 2022 to June 2023. Due to ongoing high fuel costs in early 2024, this subsidy was reinstated in the Canary Islands until the end of the year for petrol, diesel, and marine diesel (excluding private recreational use). In addition, free and discounted travel passes for Renfe – Spain's national railway company – were provided for some commuter and regional services ( Suburban and Medium Distance Trains). Travel cards  for frequent travelers (Bonos Avant) were also issued, subsidised by 50%. Between January and April 2024, Renfe distributed 2.76 million free and subsidised passes.[8] In addition, 100% discounts were granted on season tickets and multi-journey tickets for state bus services, and regional discounts were offered for land public transport in the Balearic and Canary Islands. These measures aimed to reduce transport costs and enhance mobility, and they particularly benefited lower-income and vulnerable groups.

[1] Grupo Español para el Crecimiento Verde (2024): https://grupocrecimientoverde.org/

[2] Plataforma Empleo Verde (2024): https://plataformaempleoverde.org/

[3] ECODES and Carbone 4 (2024) for a European and Sustainable Public Procurement Law: https://ecodes.org/images/SALA_PRENSA/notas-de-prensa/2024/Informe_BESA_16052024.pdf

[4] Minister of Social Rights, Cosumers and Agenda 2030 (2024) Guaranteed electricity, oil-based fuels, gas and water supplies: https://www.mdsocialesa2030.gob.es/en/escudo-social/medidas-extraordinarias/garantia.htm

[5] Romero, J.C., Barrella, R., Centeno, E., (2023), Spanish Fuel Poverty Indicators Report 2022, https://files.griddo.comillas.edu/informe-indicadores-2022-eyp-v4.pdf

[6] INE (2023), Annex of tables. Living Conditions Survey 2023, https://www.ine.es/prensa/anexo_tablas/es/ECV2023.xlsx

[7] National Markets and Competition Commission(2022) Informative bulletin on the distribution of

fuels at service stations: https://www.cnmc.es/expedientes/isde01022

[8] renfe.com (2024) Renfe issued 2.76 million free commuter, rodalies and media distancia passes in the first four months: https://www.renfe.com/es/es/grupo-renfe/comunicacion/renfe-al-dia/sala-de-prensa/renfe-emitio-2-millones-abonos-gratuitos-cercanias-rodalies-media-distancia-primer-cuatrimestre