The Spanish government approved a crucial procedure last month aimed at allowing for early retirement in certain arduous and hazardous occupations. A key group seeking to benefit from this initiative is that of hotel chambermaids , who have long advocated for this right due to the significant physical and emotional toll their profession takes. However, the path to achieving early retirement is unlikely to be straightforward; the complex procedures involved may extend the process for several months, making it improbable for these women to access early retirement this year. Unions are hopeful that the initiative will come into effect by 2026 .
This summer may mark the last without the possibility of early retirement for the Kellys , a term used to refer to this collective, which is now celebrating a decade of active struggle for their labor rights. As families head off to their vacation destinations, they will be met by a battalion of chambermaids responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and order in their accommodations. But just how many of these women are there? The exact figures are somewhat of a mystery. Neither the National Institute of Statistics (INE) nor the Social Security records provide a specific number, though estimates suggest the group consists of approximately 100,000 women , given that they predominantly fill these roles.
According to figures from the General Treasury of Social Security , in response to a parliamentary query submitted by the Socialist Group in Congress, there were 144,512 hotel chambermaids registered by the end of 2024. However, it’s important to interpret this data carefully. The government notes that these workers are categorized under the National Classification of Economic Activities (CNAE) as part of “Hotels and similar accommodations.” This classification includes various roles beyond cleaning, such as food and beverage services, laundry, pool, and gym services. The Treasury provides an annex, offering a “disaggregated data by gender” as a rough estimate, acknowledging the high feminization of the profession.
From this annex, it becomes evident that there are 144,512 women affiliated under CNAE 5510, while there were 115,472 men employed in similar hotel settings by December 2024. During peak season in August of the previous summer, there were reportedly 222,788 chambermaids contributing to the Social Security and 168,442 male workers in these establishments. These numbers are anticipated to increase this year due to a robust tourism surge.
Beyond just the number of hotel employees, the government’s response reveals crucial information regarding the age distribution of this group. Almost 30% of the employed are over 52 years old . By the end of 2024, there were 39,499 contributors engaged in this role aged over 51 (specifically 18,368 between 51 and 55 years old, 13,378 between 56 and 60, 7,048 over 60, and 705 above 65). This indicates that nearly three out of ten Kellys could potentially claim early retirement given their age surpasses the set threshold of 52 years for applicable reduction coefficients.
However, age is not the sole criterion established by the government. The Ministry of Social Security has laid out a series of requirements for workers in strenuous or hazardous professions—who cannot see improvement in their working conditions—to allow for anticipation of the standard retirement age . Factors considered include the number of instances of temporary disability, average duration of leave, and the incidence of fatalities and permanent disabilities within the group, along with criteria such as exposure to extreme temperatures, noise, vibrations, physical strain, and harmful chemical or biological agents.
The Procedure
Applications for early retirement must be submitted “jointly” by unions , employer associations, self-employed worker associations, or public administrations. This presents an initial challenge as unions may face resistance from employers since applying these reduction coefficients for early retirement at 52 years entails additional contributions that predominantly impact companies. However, there is a clear ruling from the Supreme Court allowing unions to request these reduction coefficients without a prior agreement with employers.
This has been one of the primary hurdles preventing the activation of these procedures. The Social Security administration has not approved reduction coefficients for laborious occupations since 2011 , and it continues to archive union requests. With this new procedure, the maximum timeframe for resolution is set at six months , leading unions to anticipate a more efficient process. Nonetheless, preliminary reports from the Labor Inspectorate and the Institute of Safety and Health at Work are mandatory, and all this documentation will be scrutinized by an evaluation commission that will decide on approval or rejection. As per the government’s timeline, this commission is expected to be formed by the end of September, allowing them to start reviewing requests by the last quarter of the year and potentially deferring resolutions into early 2026 .
From UGT , union representatives express they are already preparing to submit their application. Fernando Luján , the Deputy Secretary General of Union Policy, asserts the need for ongoing efforts to dignify labor conditions in such a heavily feminized sector. Concurrently, he emphasizes the urgency of effectively enforcing equality plans in companies within this sector to address the persistent gender pay gap (as reported by Social Security data, the average contribution base for women is 1,694 euros , compared to 1,968 euros for men performing the same activities). He critiques how the outsourcing of cleaning jobs has worsened the working conditions for chambermaids.
On the other hand, Marcos Gutiérrez , head of Institutional Policy and Public Policy at CCOO’s Services , lauds the government’s new regulation and the objectification of criteria regarding arduousness, particularly since “many chambermaids work for outsourced companies and avoid taking sick leaves, even resorting to self-medication to keep working.” He hopes that with this new procedure, the de facto “veto power previously held by employers” will be eliminated, hastening necessary processes. Should an agreement with employers fail to materialize, “we will urge the Administration to commence the process of activating these reduction coefficients,” he warns.