The Ministry of Labor has taken a new step in reforming work permits related to particularly sensitive family situations, after reaching an agreement with the CCOO and UGT unions. With the agreement, the regulatory process can begin extend to ten days To grant leave in the event of the death of a family member and to create a new specific entitlement to it up to 15 days intended to provide support in palliative care contexts. However, the measure will not have the support of business associations after Yolanda Díaz’s department decided to end the tripartite negotiations due to a lack of progress at the social dialogue table.
The agreement was finalized after Monday’s meeting. In a subsequent appearance, the Minister of Labor said, Joaquin Perez Reyhas highlighted the role of trade unions in consensus building. In his speech, Pérez Rey thanked the trade union organizations for “rising to the situation”.
The Foreign Minister also expressly regretted that business associations did not join the agreement reached. “It is a shame, and I say it again, that the Spanish employers’ association has not joined this agreement. it’s incomprehensible. “They must explain to the business owners and workers of this country why they have excluded themselves from a regulation that puts our country on the same level as what the rest of Europe is doing and how a certain level of insensitivity can be shown,” he explained.
The Ministry’s initial aim was to conclude a comprehensive agreement involving all social dialogue actors. According to Pérez Rey, the rejection of the employers’ association is not based on economic or organizational reasons, but is a decision based on “calculations that are not understood, but that.” They have nothing to do with productivity.they have nothing to do with absenteeism or work culture.” Nevertheless, he has defended the relevance of the pact reached with the unions and stressed that the lack of support from companies does not diminish its reach. “The fact that the employers’ association is not present does not diminish its importance,” he stressed.
In a critical tone, Pérez Rey demanded one Change in focus with regard to workplace health and employee well-being. Therefore, business associations have been urged to focus their efforts on improving working conditions rather than questioning the use of permits. “We don’t need to prosecute those who get sick. We need to prevent workers from getting sick. And you know how workers get sick? Right when they have to return to work two days after the death of a child,” he added.
The measures that the Ministry of Labor intends to promote through a Royal Decree include a change to the current framework. Specifically, it is proposed to extend leave to up to ten working days in the event of the death of a spouse, life partner or family members up to the second degree of consanguinity. Furthermore, it is expected that these days can be enjoyed internally a period of up to four weeks from the date of death and can be used continuously or in installments depending on the employee’s needs.
Together with this extension, the agreement provides for the creation of a new authorization of up to 15 working days for the support and care of family members in palliative care. This right would also apply to the spouse, life partner or family members up to the second degree of consanguinity, recognizing the need for a time limit for this face disease processes serious and end of life.
The future standard will also include another innovation: a one-day paid holiday for accompany a person in the euthanasia process. This right is not limited by family ties, since it can be exercised by any employee expressly designated by the person to receive the benefit, regardless of whether there is a family relationship or not.
With regard to the parliamentary processing, the Foreign Minister assured that the ministry would begin its work “From this moment on” to gain the necessary support from the various factions. Pérez Rey expressed confidence that the initiative will receive sufficient support in Congress, as it is a demand widely shared by society.
“I know that this is a need of the entire Spanish population, that is, to suffer the death of a son or daughter. It is not about mourning the death of a family member.” neither right nor left“It is a problem that everyone feels, regardless of their social class and wherever they are,” he concluded.
*With information from Europa Press.
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