Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Partido Popular, has proposed reducing pay during sick leave to combat labour absenteeism in Spain.
The proposal reignites a contentious national debate over worker rights and economic productivity. If implemented, the measure would aim to discourage unnecessary absences and lower the financial burden on the national economy.
During an interview on Canal 24 horas, Feijóo discussed the issue with economist Manuel Hidalgo. He said that reducing the salary workers receive while on sick leave could incentivize employees to return to their posts more quickly.
Feijóo cited a Randstad report indicating that 1.6 million [1] people did not attend work. This figure highlights the scale of the challenge facing Spanish employers and the government in managing the workforce.
Other data suggests the problem is particularly acute in specific sectors. A study by Sernauto and Adecco reported that more than 18,000 [2] workers are absent each day. This level of absenteeism is estimated to have an annual economic impact of approximately 720 million euros [3].
The proposal targets the phenomenon of absenteeism by altering the financial incentives currently in place for those on medical leave. Feijóo said the goal is to reduce the high levels of absence reported in recent studies.
Critics of such measures often argue that reducing sick pay could penalize workers with genuine health issues, or lead to employees returning to work before they are fully recovered. However, the Partido Popular leader maintains that the current system allows for a level of absenteeism that harms the broader economy.
“Feijóo proposes reducing pay during sick leave to combat labour absenteeism in Spain.”
This proposal represents a shift toward more stringent labour market controls in Spain. By linking sick leave pay to a lower rate, the Partido Popular is attempting to address a systemic productivity leak that costs the economy hundreds of millions of euros annually. The outcome of this debate will likely depend on whether the public views absenteeism as a systemic failure of worker discipline or a reflection of broader public health and workplace wellness issues.
