The government says the main trade unions back the reform, despite months of protests from professionals across the political spectrum. The bill now needs Congress’s approval.
Health Minister Mónica García chose not to appear at the press conference following the Council of Ministers meeting at which, after months of demonstrations that have brought together doctors and health workers from across the political spectrum, her new Framework Statute for staff in this key sector for any state was unveiled.
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It was the government spokesperson, the socialist Elma Saíz, who defended this openly unpopular measure, saying it was backed by the 'main trade unions', namely SATSE-FSES, CC.OO., UGT and CSIF, as opposed to the groups that joined forces to protest against the text approved today, which still has to go through Congress.
Health professionals are calling for a series of measures they do not see reflected in García's reform. García is an anaesthetist and part of the government's minority wing for Sumar, under the Más Madrid quota. Among their demands are that the overtime part of their working hours – on-call shifts – should count towards Social Security contributions and that they should receive an allowance for night work or rest days after several consecutive shifts, as is the case in agreements covering the National Police or prison staff.
They are also calling for the creation of a specific A1 professional category for doctors, a maximum 35-hour working week (morning shifts on working days) and for any overtime to be voluntary and paid. They likewise want the introduction of a voluntary early retirement scheme, full or partial, and a ban on compulsory mobility.
The law, which updates the framework governing social and healthcare staff for the first time in two decades, cuts the maximum weekly working time to 45 hours, below the European average for the sector. Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz tried to push through a general cap of 37.5 hours a week for the whole population, down from the current 40, but the bill was voted down by right-wing parties last September.
For on-call shifts, the maximum limit is set at 17 hours of effective work, apparently reducing the current 24, but there is a catch: article 97 of the draft bill states that if adequate continuity of care cannot be guaranteed, and 'where there are organisational or care-related reasons that justify it, the maximum length of the working day may be exceeded'. The text also provides for the creation of statutory research staff and measures to support work-life balance.
Far from backing the draft, the critical union representatives (CESM, SMA, Metges de Catalunya, AMYTS, SME and O’MEGA) have called a new nationwide rally for 15 June at 12.00 in front of the Health Ministry. They accuse the ministry of pursuing a strategy of 'delay, paralysis and a total lack of proposals'.
Saíz argued that many of the demands still being made no longer fall within the ministry's remit: 'It is the autonomous communities that have powers over pay, staffing levels, the organisation of services and much of health professionals' working conditions,' said the minister, who also holds the Inclusion, Social Security and Migration portfolio.
