This Monday, the Government offered social agents the possibility of allowing “a gradual reintegration” to work after having always been on sick leave under medical supervision.
The Secretary of State for Social Security and Pensions, Borja Suárez, explained to the media after the opening of the social dialogue table on temporary disability that there are situations in which “progressive reintegration” is the solution. most effective formula guarantee an improvement in the health of workers.
Suárez insisted that any change will require medical supervisionthat this “graduation” will take place after being discharged and that it could be made compatible somehow benefits and salary.
From Social Security they explain that these cases can arise, for example, in reintegration after prolonged absences in which returning to full-time work may be more problematic or lead to relapse.
In all cases, they insisted, this return to activity would take place once the person was released, that is to say, they had recovered. Suárez stressed that the issue is beginning to be addressed and that it will be necessary to analyze the data to finish developing and detailing a proposal within the framework of social dialogue.
“We are at the beginning of the path, we must be careful,” he added. Combining salary receipt with disability benefits is currently not possible, so measures would need to be developed in this regard.
From Social Security they stressed that the objective is that the recovery has “all the guarantees and be, if possible, better, more satisfactory” and that we work “for the extension of rights”.
Unions demand written proposals
On the side of social agents, the UGT and CCOO unions have put forward their rejection of an approach of “flexible leave“, while the CEOE avoided evaluating the start of these negotiations.
“It’s frivolous and irresponsible.”considered the Secretary of Public Policies and Social Protection of CCOO, Carlos Bravo. He also told the press after the meeting that Social Security had expressed its concern about the increase in expenditure on temporary disability benefits but that no proposal had been made. .
The secretary of Institutional Policy and Territorial Policies of the UGT, Cristina Estévez, also requested written proposals. “As long as there is no firm proposal, we cannot talk about the intentions of the ministry. It is true that I would like to send a message of calm in the face of this social alarm,” he said.
Estévez emphasized that “in no case are the social agents who participate at the social dialogue table, neither they nor the employers’ unions, in favor or approving any type of flexible sick leave, it is an aberration.”
