The Government distances itself from Feijóo's proposal to lower the salary of workers on leave

PalmaThe Minister of Labour, Catalina Cabrer, has distanced herself from the words of the leader of theopposition and national president of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, that this Tuesday said that absenteeism is a "cancer" and proposed that workers on sick leave earn less. In a press conference, the minister considered that, although it is a state issue, "a worker who has contributed, works and is ill must have the entire system that accompanies them in their recovery period".

Although it is conceded that "measures" could be "included" such as the worker being able to make a "partial return to work", Cabrer pointed out that they must be approved "always hand in hand with social agents". The minister made these statements after Feijóo positioned himself in these terms in relation to the increase in work absences in Spain.

Cabrer was asked about these statements after the signing of the 2026-2031 Autonomous Conciliation Plan, accompanied by representatives of trade unions and employers' associations from the Balearic Islands. An instrument that includes about seventy measures to promote family and work-life balance, although many are still under development and have been little specified.

The unions: "We will stand firm against these measures"

The general secretary of CCOO, José Luis García, has shown himself to be completely contrary to Feijóo's proposal: "We will show ourselves to be firm against these measures". Pedro Homar (UGT) has declared himself "against criminalizing, pointing out, and stigmatizing a person for being ill".

Representing CAEB, Mavia Isern has shown herself to be in favor of "giving full support to the working person". "If there is unjustified absenteeism, it is a symptom that something is wrong in the organization, and the company must also assume responsibility: these can be psychosocial factors, reconciliation problems, and stressful situations", she continued. While Juan Carlos Fernández of Pimem has railed against the "abuse of the system": "In the long run, it does not end up benefiting who it should benefit". Thus, he aligned himself with Feijóo's words: "Labor absenteeism is a cancer in this country, I think so".

Aid for self-employed women

Cabrer has praised the Conciliation Plan, which is structured around three strategic pillars, eight general objectives, and 16 specific ones, with the involvement of up to 22 public agencies, coordinated through an autonomous committee. Among the planned actions, Cabrer has highlighted aid for self-employed women who need to take parental leave and maternity leave, programs to promote the incorporation of women into science and technology studies, the commitment to the "cheque cangur" (kangaroo cheque), aid for vulnerable families, and the expansion of the "patios escolares abiertos" (open schoolyards) program during the summer.