Spain’s government is preparing to introduce an emergency minimum income measure in an attempt to protect the most vulnerable from the economic impact of the health crisis that continues to relentlessly buffet the nation. On 31 March, the Ministry of Labour approved an extraordinary allowance of €440 for workers who had lost their jobs since the beginning of the pandemic but who lacked the required contributions history in order to access regular unemployment benefits. This aid, which had initially been planned for just one month, is set to be extended in time and broadened to include to low-income families affected by the crisis. It should effectively lead to the introduction of a universal minimum income guarantee for cohorts at risk of social exclusion. The allowance will amount to €500 euros for single people without resources and living alone and up to €1000 for families with two children.
The introduction of a universal minimum income and the right of all vulnerable groups to receive a State allowance is part of the Socialists and Podemos parties ruling coalition program. However until now the measure had been gathering dust due to the reluctance of both proponents of budgetary orthodoxy and those who feared it would demotivate job-seekers in a country where 21% of the population lives on under €9,000 euros a year. The social emergency stemming from drastic nature of the Covid-1
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