The Health Minister, Mónica García, chose not to appear at the press conference after the Council of Ministers meeting at which, after months of demonstrations that have brought together doctors and healthcare workers from across the political spectrum, her new Framework Statute for staff in this sector, which is vital in any state, was presented.
It was the government spokesperson, Socialist minister Elma Saíz, who defended this openly unpopular measure, saying it is backed by the “majority 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.
Professionals are calling for a series of measures that they do not see reflected in García’s reform, García being an anaesthetist and a member of the government’s minority partner Sumar, representing Más Madrid. Among other things, they want the exceptional part of their working time – on-call shifts – to count towards Social Security contributions and to receive either a night-work allowance or rest days after working several consecutive shifts, as happens under agreements for the National Police or prison staff.
Professionals are also demanding the creation of a specific A1 professional category for doctors, a maximum 35-hour working week (mornings on working days) and for any extra work to be voluntary and paid. They likewise call for the introduction of a voluntary early-retirement scheme, whether full or partial, and a ban on compulsory redeployment.
