Spain moves to end 24-hour health service shifts

Spain’s plan to end 24-hour health service shifts has reached Congress after the Cabinet approved the bill in Madrid on Tuesday, 1 September. Health Minister Mónica García now needs backing from parliamentary groups, while medical unions remain opposed and say their protests will continue after the summer.

The proposed Framework Statute covers staff employed by Spain’s public health services. It would replace the rules in force since 2003, which García has said leave workers unhappy with their conditions.

García said the government would seek support for improvements to working conditions, including the end of 24-hour on-call shifts. Several autonomous communities have already signed agreements or pacts based on the proposed statute, using their own powers to improve conditions.

The bill’s passage to Congress follows its second approval by the Council of Ministers. An earlier draft was agreed in June between the Health Ministry and unions represented in the negotiating body, including the Nursing Union SATSE-FSES, Comisiones Obreras, Unión General de Trabajadores and the Central Sindical Independiente y de Funcionarios.

Medical unions have nevertheless rejected the text. Parliament now begins considering the bill as those unions prepare to resume their action after the summer.

Topics: Jobs & labour · Health · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com