Spain’s Council of Ministers approved a new Framework Statute for healthcare workers on Wednesday, despite ongoing protests and a strike call. Health Minister Mónica García skipped the press conference, leaving government spokesperson Elma Saíz to defend the measure.
Saíz says the statute is backed by majority unions but still faces criticism from key professional groups. Workers demand on-call shifts count toward Social Security, a night-work allowance, a 35-hour week, and voluntary early retirement.
The new law caps the workweek at 45 hours-below the European average-and limits on-call duty to 17 hours of effective work. However, a clause allows exceeding that limit for organizational or care reasons.
Critical unions have called a nationwide demonstration for June 15 outside the Health Ministry. Saíz notes many demands are under regional control, not the Ministry’s.