Overview

• Social Security, led by Minister Elma Saiz, has circulated a moderated proposal to social partners after strong pushback to its initial plan.
• Contributions would be frozen for self-employed workers earning below the statutory minimum wage, reversing an earlier idea of increases up to €17 per month.
• For those above the minimum wage, the latest table trims the rise to roughly 1%–2.5%, or about €3–€15 monthly, down from the earlier €11–€206 range.
• There is no final agreement yet, with talks ongoing between the government, coalition allies, the opposition and employer and union groups.
• The PP intensifies criticism, with its Catalan branch warning of a very significant impact in a region with about 574,000 self-employed, as Alberto Núñez Feijóo proposes exempting VAT for those earning under €85,000 and readies a broader plan.