Can a policy aimed at high-income individuals benefit a vulnerable group? The case of the incentive program for the hiring of domestic workers to support the work-life balance in the Autonomous Community of Madrid

The paper analyzes the policy of incentives to hire domestic workers in the Community of Madrid. Despite its success in terms of applications, the enrollment of domestic workers continues to decline. The measure seeks to regularize a historically invisible sector, but also raises questions about the appropriateness of subsidizing those who can already afford domestic workers. The effectiveness and need for labor inspections to ensure regularization is debated. While the policy has short-term benefits, bolder strategies are needed to address precariousness and low enrollment due largely to the shadow economy in the long term. In short, it is a step towards equity and efficiency, but not a magic solution. Note that original dataset is in Spanish.