Fair Wages

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A Spanish court ruled this week that a divorced woman should receive about $215,000 from her ex-husband as compensation for unpaid housework during their 25-year marriage, Insider reported.

The case centers on Ivana Moral, 48, who divorced her husband in 2020. When the couple married in 1995, the woman had signed a separation of goods agreement, which meant that in the event of divorce, the couple would split their home and common possessions between the couple, but her husband would hold onto his wealth.

Moral was initially awarded half their house but no money in the divorce.

But the court in Velez-Malaga, southern Spain, found that Moral had performed all the house chores “exclusively” during their marriage, which included contributing “punctually” to the family gym business.

It added that the woman was owed the compensation because she was “deprived of any possible career due to her exclusive dedication to the home and family.” Meanwhile, the husband grew his wealth throughout the marriage, including purchasing a number of luxury vehicles and a 173-acre olive oil farm.

The landmark verdict means Moral will receive the equivalent of Spain’s minimum monthly professional wage for the years they were married, as well as a monthly pension of around $527.

Her lawyer, Marta Fuentes, told local media that the decision was a victory for women who have labored in the “shadows” of their husbands.