Widowhood benefits for common-law partners and victims of gender-based violence: the social measures that Sánchez approves today

BarcelonaThis Tuesday, the Council of Ministers is scheduled to process a royal decree-law with various social improvements, one more step in Sánchez's pre-campaign strategy, which consists of proposing a series of social and economic measures. The decree in question is aimed at widowers and widows of de facto couples, victims of sexist violence, and parents with minors suffering from serious illnesses.

However, the approval of the text requires validation, within a month, by the Permanent Deputation of Congress. As confirmed by Elma Saiz, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration who is spearheading the regulation, she assures that the Spanish government's intention is to bring these and more social measures to the Council of Ministers before the general elections on November 29. It should be remembered that the Spanish executive does not depend on the vote of Junts in the Permanent Deputation and finds it easier to approve the text than before the dissolution of the Cortes.

Saiz stated in an interview with TVE that these are "highly requested" measures that respond to a broad social call, and she claimed that there are two models to choose from, that of the Popular Party which refuses to "believe in social dialogue" and that of the Socialist Party which, according to the minister, advances in rights without leaving behind economic progress.

The decree being processed

The regulation reaching the Council of Ministers, designed by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, will expand the temporary disability benefit for women suffering from pathologies associated with menopause. It is also planned that couples with children will have the right to a widow's pension if they prove two years of cohabitation, without the need to have previously formalized a domestic partnership. It is understood that the existence of children in common is sufficient to be able to access this benefit, and applications with a denied pension may be reviewed in the next 12 months.

Regarding victims of gender-based violence, the decree establishes that they will have a benefit of 60% of the regulatory base until the 20th day of the leave and 75% thereafter. The company will pay the salary on the day of the leave, but afterwards, it will be Social Security that pays the aid.

For parents caring for minors with cancer or serious illnesses, the regulation improves the CUME benefit so that both parents can receive it alternatively or simultaneously. In cases of greater vulnerability, the aid could be maintained beyond 26 years of age, when the affected person presents a degree of dependency III or an especially high disability greater than 75%.

Furthermore, the decree also improves extraordinary pensions derived from terrorist acts: none may be placed below the equivalent of two minimum wages (currently 2,442 euros per month), a figure 36% higher than the current aid. It also improves protection for orphans of gender-based violence and raises contributory benefits to a minimum of twice the minimum wage. Non-contributory ones may reach a maximum of twice the SMI.

Although the text must be validated in Congress, this Monday Sánchez announced two measures that will also be approved this Tuesday in the Council of Ministers, but where the Permanent Deputation does not come into play. These are 45 million euros to expand the offer of university residence places and the approval of a new University Student Statute. Furthermore, the president of the Spanish executive has also promised to raise the minimum professional wage and revalue pensions with inflation. This topic is expected to be his hallmark for this approaching electoral campaign, which will kick off on November 13th.