Self-employed workers to protest across Spain this Sunday for fair working conditions
Spain’s Platform for the Dignity of the Self-Employed will hold demonstrations today, Sunday, in dozens of cities across the country under the slogan “For dignified working conditions”.
In the Canary Islands, protests are planned in Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Tenerife, calling for fair conditions, lower Social Security costs, better social protection and recognition of their work.
In Tenerife, demonstrators will also begin at 10:00am from Plaza Weyler in Santa Cruz, with the official route still to be confirmed. In Lanzarote, the protest will take place at 10:00am outside the Government Delegation in Arrecife, while in Fuerteventura participants will gather at the island’s Government office.
The march in Gran Canaria will start at 10:00am in San Telmo Park, following a route through Triana, Lentini, Plaza Santa Ana and back to the park via Venegas, Plaza de los Derechos Humanos, Murga, and León y Castillo.
Other cities taking part include Barcelona, Bilbao, Ceuta, Girona, Huesca, Ibiza, Madrid, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Murcia, Oviedo, Salamanca, Santander, Santiago de Compostela, Sevilla, Tarragona and Valencia.
What they’re demanding
The movement has outlined a series of long-standing demands, including:
- Social security contributions that match actual monthly income, as well as VAT (IVA/IGIC) exemption on earnings up to €85,000 in line with EU Directive 2020/285.
- An end to the role of freelancers as “tax collectors” for the state through VAT and social contributions.
- A full reform of the cese de actividad (self-employed unemployment benefit).
- Support for sick leave or caring responsibilities, including reduced contributions and proper bereavement rights.
- Equal social protection to that of salaried employees.
- Less bureaucracy and clearer administrative language.
- Protection of personal assets and family homes against business debt.
- Freedom to accept cash payments and fair rules for card payment systems.
- Immediate deduction of investments.
Organisers hope the coordinated demonstrations will push the government to address the worsening pressures on Spain’s self-employed workforce.
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