Spain’s government will not approve the planned strengthening of mandatory time‑tracking next week, sources said, breaking a pledge made in late July.
What happened
The Labour and Economy ministries announced they had reached a political agreement with trade unions to adopt the measure in September. The timetable was meant to ease union anger after UGT and CC OO warned they would cease negotiations if the reform was not passed in July. The ministries now say the approval will be postponed beyond September, without giving a new date.
Why the delay matters
Unions view the time‑recording system as essential for enforcing workers’ rights to rest and overtime pay. The government had promised a September vote to restore trust. Delaying the vote may strain relations with UGT and CC OO and could prompt further industrial action. Critics argue the postponement reflects broader challenges in Spain’s labour market reforms.
What to watch
Analysts will monitor whether the ministries set a new deadline and how unions respond. The next parliamentary session could reveal if a revised timetable will be presented. Further delays could affect Spain’s compliance with EU directives on working time.