Spain plans to tighten rules on sick leave

Sick leave reform: punishment for workers or the end of fraud?

A news story in El Periódico announcing a cut to common sick leave has sparked an intense debate. The controversial front-page photograph — a woman with fibromyalgia — triggered the sarcasm: "Charo with fibromyalgia", one analyst sneered. But the substance of the matter is more serious. Employers have been complaining for months about the cost of absences, and the coalition government of the PP and Vox reportedly already has a reform ready. The question is: who will really be harmed?

The political context: PP and Vox against sick leave

The reference to MUFACE — where insurers were demanding more funding — is no coincidence. Those who trinc the drift of the public health system warn: what peine with public healthcare contracts could now repeat itself with sick leave. "Here everyone will get something, but only some will keep their job," they point out. The looming reform would reduce the number of sick days or tighten the conditions for medical certification, with the aim of saving on benefits and relieving businesses. "The doctor, to avoid an argument, signs people off easily," one physician complained. The current system allows up to 3 days off for a cold with hardly any checks. Employers want to toughen it up.

The perverse effect of the IMV and sick leave as a refuge

One of the thorniest aspects of the debate is the comparison with the Ingreso Mínimo Vital (Spain's minimum income scheme). "If workers didn't feel cheated seeing their neighbour earn almost the same without working, maybe they wouldn't rush to go on sick leave," the argument goes. According to this thesis, the IMV discourages formal employment and normalises sick leave as a source of income. But the figure that really stands out is another one: the cost of workplace absenteeism, according to employers' estimates, exceeds 40 billion euros a year in Spain. The reform, if it comes, will not be painless: the unions have already announced mobilisations.

While politicians argue, absenteeism figures keep rising. The reform targets short sick leaves — the ones with the least oversight — but leaves the underlying problem untouched: job insecurity and workers' mental health. Is this the first step towards a bigger adjustment? Time will tell.