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What it is

Rules for subcontracting on construction sites in Spain

BOE step 7 of 7 · Passed

It is a members’ bill. Introduced by parliamentary groups, the Senate, regional governments or citizens. It was introduced on 5 April 2004. Introduced by: Grupo Parlamentario de Izquierda Verde-Izquierda Unida-Iniciativa per Catalunya Verds.

Official title: Private member's bill regulating subcontracting in the construction sector.

Follow this law

Source: Congreso de los Diputados, file 122/000047· updated 11 Nov

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

  1. The law regulates subcontracting in construction to improve working conditions and, in particular, the safety and health of workers.
  2. Subcontracting can only go down to the third level: the third subcontractor may not subcontract anyone else, and neither may a self-employed worker. In justified cases (specialization needs, technical complications or force majeure), the site's technical management may approve one extra level, and must record it in the Subcontracting Book.
  3. To act as a contractor or subcontractor, a company must have its own organization and resources, staff trained in occupational risk prevention, and must register in the Registry of Accredited Companies. It must also keep a minimum share of permanent workers, which rises from 10% to 30% over three years.
  4. Every site must keep a Subcontracting Book recording all subcontracting arrangements, their level and other details. The developer, the technical management, workers and the labor authority can consult it.
  5. Companies must check that those they hire comply with the law. If they do not, they are jointly liable for the labor and Social Security obligations of the subcontractor.
  6. Violations are punished under the Law on Infractions and Sanctions in the Social Order, which is amended to classify failures in accreditation, registration, the Subcontracting Book and subcontracting levels as serious or very serious offenses.

Who it affects

  • Construction contractors and subcontractors: They must prove prevention training, register in the registry, respect subcontracting levels and keep the Subcontracting Book.
  • Self-employed workers in the sector: They cannot subcontract their work, and if they hire employees they are treated as contractors or subcontractors.
  • Site developers (promotores): They can hire several contractors directly and are liable if an extension of subcontracting is approved without justified cause.
  • Construction workers and their representatives: They must be informed about hiring and subcontracting and can access the Subcontracting Book.

Words worth knowing

Subcontratación (subcontracting)
The practice of a company passing part of the work it was hired to do on to another company.
Nivel de subcontratación (subcontracting level)
Each step in the chain: the contractor is the first link, the first subcontractor the second, and so on.
Promotor (developer)
The person or entity on whose behalf the construction work is carried out.
Dirección facultativa (technical management)
The technicians appointed by the developer to direct and oversee the execution of the work.
Responsabilidad solidaria (joint liability)
Two companies are each fully responsible for the same debt or obligation, even if only one failed to comply.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries

Where it stands

How far did it get?

It took 7 of 7 steps. It reached BOE, and today it is passed.

  1. Introduced5 April 2004Someone registers the text in the Congreso.
  2. Admitted20 April 2004The Bureau of the Congreso accepts it and, for a members’ bill, the plenary decides whether to consider it.
  3. Amendments4 January 2005Groups propose changes.
  4. Committee13 December 2005A committee goes through the text in detail.
  5. Plenaryno dateAll 350 deputies vote.
  6. Senate9 May 2006The Senate can pass it, amend it or veto it.
  7. BOE28 September 2006It is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and comes into force.
See the 16 official steps on a timeline
Jun 2004Sept 2004Dec 2004Mar 2005Jun 2005Sept 2005Dec 2005Mar 2006Jun 200611. 5 April 2004: Presentación22. 20 April 2004: Mesa del Congreso Requerimiento de antecedentes desde 20/04/2004 hasta 14/12/200433. 20 April 2004: Boletín Oficial de las Cortes Generales Publicación desde 20/04/2004 hasta 23/04/200444. 20 April 2004: Calificación55. 23 April 2004: Gobierno Contestación desde 23/04/2004 hasta 31/05/200466. 14 December 2004: Pleno Toma en consideración desde 14/12/2004 hasta 21/12/200477. 21 December 2004: Mesa del Congreso Acuerdo subsiguiente a la toma en consideración desde 21/12/2004 hasta 28/12/200488. 28 December 2004: Comisión de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales Publicación desde 28/12/2004 hasta 04/01/200599. 4 January 2005: Comisión de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales Enmiendas desde 04/01/2005 hasta 01/12/20051010. 1 December 2005: Comisión de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales Mesa - Calificación desde 01/12/2005 hasta 13/12/20051111. 13 December 2005: Comisión de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales Debate de totalidad desde 13/12/2005 hasta 15/12/20051212. 15 December 2005: Comisión de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales Informe desde 15/12/2005 hasta 25/04/20061313. 25 April 2006: Comisión de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales Aprobación con competencia legislativa plena desde 25/04/2006 hasta 09/05/20061414. 9 May 2006: Senado desde 09/05/2006 hasta 20/09/20061515. 20 September 2006: Pleno Enmiendas o veto del Senado desde 20/09/2006 hasta 28/09/20061616. 28 September 2006: Concluido - (Aprobado con modificaciones) desde 28/09/2006 hasta 21/11/2006

Was there a plenary vote?

We have no plenary vote linked to this law in the Congreso’s data.

What happens next

What happens now?

It is law, or will be once published in the BOE. It comes into force on the date its own text sets.

The same initiative in the other chamber:

Presented before in:

Published in the BOE: Law 32/2006, of October 18, regulating subcontracting in the Construction Sector

Sources

Where does all this come from?

  • The data comes from the open files of the Congreso, the Senate and the BOE, unaltered.
  • Each deputy’s province is the one of their seat on the day of the vote.
  • We only say “passed” or “rejected” when the majority needed is certain; otherwise we say which side had more votes.

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