According to data from the Association of Household Employees of Bilbao, almost 98 per cent of domestic workers were women, and two out of 10 worked illegally and without papers. These 40-hour full-time weekly hours are easily exceeded by resident household employees: About 75% work more than 60 hours a week – 95% more than 40 hours –. This means a reduction in the rest time. Almost half are below 36 hours of legal rest, and a quarter have no time for it, as they work at home.

On Tuesday, the Bilbao Merchants Association released data on the 592 cases detected last year. They criticise the attitude of the institutions, as the area of surveillance is at the expense of immigrants. The focus has also been put on Osakidetza to accept the illnesses and accidents that occur at work: “For example, although the medical part says they have arm pain and a person with a lot of weight moves at work, they are not recognized that the source of the problem is at work.” This prevents workers from leaving.

Complaint to staff recruiting agencies

The Association of Household Employees went to the Basque Government last year to monitor the activity of the agencies that recruit staff. He is now accused of having "despised" what he was being asked for. As an example of the agencies' injustices to Different Household People Bilbao, in the bilbaíno district of Begoña. They say that this agency was investigated by a worker: “The money the contractor paid to the company did not reach the worker.” The agency has been sued for a crime of misappropriation.

Half salary for those who do not have paper

82% of household employees are foreigners, and in fact 70% of non-Europeans are Spanish nationals. Those who do not have a role are the worst: almost half of them are paid to EUR 900, half of their natural salary. “This is the most difficult situation for workers, who have nothing if they do not accept it,” said the spokesman for the Association of Household Employees.

In addition, 37% of resident workers receive the salary at their disposal, although a payment document is mandatory, according to the survey.

They also do not take unemployment, although they are aware that they may lose their jobs from day to day. No compensation: “The person who cares is the one who cares the most in the months before the death, because it is where they most need it, and often after their death they get out of work.”