Spain's parliament approves benefit for self-employed workers

Spain’s parliamentary lower house, today approved a bill to allow self-employed workers to claim unemployment benefit for between six and twelve months if they find themselves unable to find work.

Autonomo’s who have contributed into the social security system for less than 43 months will be entitled to six months' benefit and those who have contributed for between 43 and 48 months will be entitled to benefit for eight months. Those who have been paying social security for over 48 months will be entitled to a year's unemployment benefit.

The Minister for Employment and Immigration Minister said that the new benefit entitlements would offer some comfort to the self-employed and recognise "their entrepreneurial spirit and their contribution to society".

The bill still has to be approved by the Senate before becoming law.