Labor measures due to the crisis in the Middle East
30 March 2026 · VILAR RIBA
Following the publication of Royal Decree-Law 7/2026 in the Official State Gazette (BOE No. 71) on 21 March 2026, and its subsequent ratification by the Congress of Deputies on 26 March 2026, several urgent measures have been approved, mainly consisting of direct aid across different sectors, within the context of the current energy and geopolitical crisis. Although the approved measures are not primarily focused on the labour sphere, the regulation does include two labour-related aspects that should be taken into account:
Limitation on dismissals (Article 62)
- Companies benefiting from any of the aid regulated under this Royal Decree-Law in various areas may not carry out dismissals on ETOP grounds (economic, technical, organisational or production-related reasons) or force majeure arising from the energy crisis until 30 June 2026. Non-compliance will result in the dismissal being declared null and void and the repayment of the aid received. This limitation also applies to permanent seasonal (fixed-discontinuous) contracts and certain decisions in cooperatives.
- The energy crisis does not constitute valid grounds for failing to call back fixed-discontinuous workers or for terminating their contracts. Failure to call them back may be deemed an unfair dismissal if no adequate external justification is provided.
Sustainable mobility plans (Articles 63–64)
- An obligation is established to implement sustainable mobility plans in companies and public sector entities with more than 200 employees or 100 per shift within a period of 12 months (this deadline has been shortened compared to the one initially planned).
- For companies receiving aid, the absence of such a plan will entail the repayment of the aid received.
