About 15,000 cross-border workers from Gibraltar will retain the purchasing power of their unemployment benefits in Spain following a change in criteria by SEPE.
According to Europa Sur, the State Public Employment Service (SEPE) of the Ministry of Labour has modified the way it applies the deduction of unemployment benefits for around 15,000 community cross-border workers who work in Gibraltar. With the new criteria, these workers will maintain the purchasing power of their aid in Spain, something that the previous interpretation could have reduced following the enactment of the new treaty between the European Union and the United Kingdom.
The change comes after efforts by CCOO, which had warned of the economic consequences of the initial criteria. The union was calling for a solution to ensure that these workers were not disadvantaged when claiming unemployment benefits generated during their work in the Rock.
Until now, SEPE deducted days based on the time paid in Gibraltar. With the new instruction, it will take into account the amount received in the Rock, so that the deduction is adjusted to the amount received. The text of the criteria states:
“From the duration of this benefit, the days of benefit equivalent to the amount received previously from the State where they exercised their employment will be deducted.”
The General Secretary of CCOO in the Campo de Gibraltar, Manuel Triano, assessed the change on Thursday as a satisfactory solution for those affected:
“In simple terms for those affected, it offers a mechanism that enables the maintenance of the purchasing power of unemployment benefits.”
CCOO thanked the involvement of the spokesperson for United Left in the parliamentary group of Sumar, Enrique Santiago, and the work of the confederal secretary for Public Policies, Carlos Bravo. The problem was initially detected by ASTEG and CCOO, who raised it with SEPE and then with the Minister of Labour, Yolanda Díaz.
The union now places its priority on the pensions of this group. Triano urged the Government to fulfil its commitment to establish a compensation mechanism to correct the imbalance in this area, and warns that there is still work to be done.
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