This Wednesday, September 16, the validation or derogation, in the Congress of Deputies, of the decree-law of 309 million euros to mitigate the economic and social consequences of the migratory crisis in Ceuta after the massive entry of people across the border with Morocco at the end of July, will be debated. The text has been in force since September 2 but will have to be validated by the Lower House.
The package of measures mobilized by the Government to address the consequences of the migratory crisis in Ceuta is structured around four main items: 118 million euros for the reception of minors and humanitarian aid, 90 million to reinforce security, 80 million to support businesses and workers, and 21 million for essential services such as health, education, Justice, and water supply.
80 million for businesses and workers
The item allocated to the business fabric includes 36.6 million euros in direct aid, managed by the Tax Agency, which could benefit some 2,500 self-employed individuals and 1,500 companies. Self-employed workers will receive 5,000 euros, while companies can access aid of between 1,000 and 150,000 euros, depending on their turnover. Applications can be submitted from September 14, and the Government expects to begin payments in early October.
The package also includes 14 million for small businesses and the tourism sector, with measures such as consumer vouchers and transport discounts for non-residents. In addition, there is one million for the Ceuta Exporta Plan, which will be developed by ICEX, and another million destined to internationally promote the city as a tourist destination.
An ICO guarantee line of up to 50 million euros will also be enabled to facilitate companies' access to credit and financing.
In the labor sphere, affected companies may avail themselves of a specific ERTE regime due to force majeure until December 31, with a 100% exemption from employer social security contributions corresponding to affected workers between September and December. Self-employed individuals whose activity has been harmed may also access an extraordinary benefit for cessation of activity for a maximum of four months.
The decree also permanently raises the bonuses on employer contributions for certain workers with indefinite or substitution contracts in Ceuta and Melilla from 50% to 75%, and incorporates new sectors, including construction. The SEPE will add 650,000 euros for training programs primarily aimed at employed workers.
Tax bonuses and support for the port
Among the structural measures is also the increase from 50% to 60% of the bonus in Corporate Income Tax for entities resident in Ceuta and Melilla, in addition to an improvement in deductions for self-employed workers, including those corresponding to expenses of difficult justification. The Government estimates that these measures will represent a joint budgetary support of about 100 million euros annually for businesses in both cities.
The port of Ceuta will receive, for its part, 4.25 million euros annually for five years, between 2027 and 2031.
21 million for essential services
The allocation for public services includes 3.5 million euros to incorporate 100 healthcare professionals from Ingesa into primary and hospital care.
Education will receive 3.2 million euros to reinforce the security of centers and finance psychosocial support actions for the educational community. In Justice, 4.5 million will be invested to reinforce the staff of judges, prosecutors, lawyers of the Administration of Justice, and civil servants, in addition to financing free legal assistance.
The package also includes 2 million euros in direct subsidy to the city of Ceuta, to which are added the more than 7 million already approved for the desalination plant.
90 million to reinforce security
The security allocation amounts to 90 million euros. Of this amount, 74 million will be allocated to the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces, while 7.1 million will go to the National Police and 8 million to the Civil Guard in the form of extraordinary performance incentives.
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