This is why the Bethel (Jehovah's Witnesses HQ) in Madrid, Spain was shut down and the property sold.
The Social Security office wanted documentation of all Spanish Bethelites and their duties. Bethelites are people who dedicate their life to "Jehovah" by volunteer service. They work for free and receive no benefits or pension. Most of them sacrifice schooling, marriage, having children, and skills training in order to be of service to the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society. These people work for free their entire lives and when discharged late in years have no means of financial support.
When the Spanish government imposed a requirement for the WTBTS to pay into the government pension plan for all Spanish Bethel workers, they shut down the facility, and sold the property that was purchased and built with millions of dollars in donated funds. The Bethelites were released.
This is why the Bethel (Jehovah's Witnesses HQ) in Madrid, Spain was shut down and the property sold.
The Social Security office wanted documentation of all Spanish Bethelites and their duties. Bethelites are people who dedicate their life to "Jehovah" by volunteer service. They work for free and receive no benefits or pension. Most of them sacrifice schooling, marriage, having children, and skills training in order to be of service to the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society. These people work for free their entire lives and when discharged late in years have no means of financial support.
When the Spanish government imposed a requirement for the WTBTS to pay into the government pension plan for all Spanish Bethel workers, they shut down the facility, and sold the property that was purchased and built with millions of dollars in donated funds. The Bethelites were released.
This is why the Bethel (Jehovah's Witnesses HQ) in Madrid, Spain was shut down and the property sold.
The Social Security office wanted documentation of all Spanish Bethelites and their duties. Bethelites are people who dedicate their life to "Jehovah" by volunteer service. They work for free and receive no benefits or pension. Most of them sacrifice schooling, marriage, having children, and skills training in order to be of service to the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society. These people work for free their entire lives and when discharged late in years have no means of financial support.
When the Spanish government imposed a requirement for the WTBTS to pay into the government pension plan for all Spanish Bethel workers, they shut down the facility, and sold the property that was purchased and built with millions of dollars in donated funds. The Bethelites were released.