The new government of Mariano Rajoy has decided to freeze the so-called minimum wage for 2012 at €641.40 per month, an unprecedented move in recent Spanish history.
The minimum wage is one of the lowest in Europe, sitting just above that of Portugal and some 60% lower than the average minimum wage set by the European Social Charter which today would be a figure of €1,026 per month.
The minimum wage currently affects the lives of around one million people and in January 2012 will be added those employed in domestic service. Naturally, the main Unions object to this new measure.