Decree due on Tuesday

The Spanish government is set to approve a royal decree-law at its Council of Ministers on Tuesday, 20 October, according to El País, with government sources confirming the plan to Europa Press and RTVE. The text was drafted by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, which Elma Saiz leads. Once approved, the decree must be validated within one month by the Permanent Deputation of Congress, where according to La Vanguardia a majority no longer needs the votes of Junts. The package is part of a wider push to pass social measures before the general election on 29 November, called after Pedro Sánchez dissolved the Cortes. La Razón reports that government sources considered approval on Tuesday almost certain.

Sánchez has framed the plan as a continuation of his government's work.

“Of course we are going to keep governing.”

Sick leave and gender violence victims

The decree extends temporary incapacity benefits to women with pathologies linked to menopause and to victims of gender violence. Victims would receive 60% of the regulatory base until the 20th day of leave and 75% from then on. The employer would pay the salary on the day the leave starts, after which Social Security takes over the benefit, according to the government. The text also improves the benefit for parents of children with cancer or serious illnesses, allowing both parents to claim it alternately or at the same time. In the most vulnerable cases, the benefit could run beyond age 26 when the person concerned has grade III dependency or a disability classed as especially high.

Survivor pensions and terrorism compensation

For unmarried couples, shared children would be enough to prove the partnership when applying for survivor pensions, a rule meant to end problems that had been arising under the current system. Applications previously denied on this ground could be reviewed within the next 12 months, El País reported. Pensions paid for acts of terrorism would have a floor of two minimum wages, currently 2,442 euros a month, which is 36% above the existing level. The decree also raises protection for orphans of gender violence, with contributory benefits set at a floor of twice the minimum wage (SMI) and non-contributory benefits also increased. laSexta adds that the Fondo de Garantía del Pago de Alimentos would be tripled.

Opposition and next steps

La Razón reports that the Partido Popular has criticised the package as:

“pure electoralism to win votes with the money of all Spaniards”

Six ordinary Council of Ministers meetings remain before 29 November, La Vanguardia reports, and the government plans to bring further measures to each one. A rise in the minimum wage could come before the ballot, while pension revaluation in line with CPI would probably come after the election, with the government in caretaker mode. The timeline below shows the dates reported so far.