The lack of equity between women and men in the allocation of family responsibilities and domestic tasks, is still an obstacle for many women seeking access to the labour market. Women continue to be in charge of unpaid work, such as looking after children and family, domestic and other tasks. Spanish women dedicate 7 hours and 35 minutes per day to housework. Since 1978, there have been a succession of changes, including legislation, which have taken into consideration family responsibilities regarding the labour market. However, discrimination has not ended.
Women are also vulnerable when returning to work after taking maternity leave.
Although the law guarantees them the right to return to work during the first year of the leave, in the same status, professional group or equivalent, sometimes, in practice, women lose these rights. With high unemployment and short term contracts, this is especially a problem for women in precarious employment situations. As an EU member, Spain has implemented the EU Directives on maternity and on parental rights. On 5 November 1999, the Spanish Government enacted a new law on family and working life. This is paid.