Self-employed group seeks 2% cap on shop rent rises
Shop rent rises would be limited to 2% a year under a plan unveiled in Madrid, Spain, on Friday, 13 November. The Union of Associations of Self-Employed Workers and Entrepreneurs (Uatae) is putting the proposal to political parties ahead of Spain’s general election on 29 November. It wants to ban rent increases altogether where the landlord is a large property owner or a legal entity.
Help with rent and running costs
Uatae also wants aid covering up to 75% of rent, more public housing at social and affordable rents, and measures to stop shops being converted into tourist accommodation.
For self-employed people on low incomes, it proposes lower social security contributions. It also wants easier access to support when people have to stop trading, an extension of support for those over 52, and help with electricity and heating costs for vulnerable self-employed people.
A warning for small shops
The rent plan is one of eight proposals. Others include tax changes, support for local shops and market traders, and measures to help self-employed women.
Uatae says changes to the contribution system and a growing number of self-employed migrants mark progress. But it warns that growth is uneven: self-employment is increasing in construction and scientific and technical work, while the retail trade is losing self-employed workers.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com