The Center for Self-reliant Trade Unions and Public Employees (CSIF) convened on Saturday 14 December a mobilization in front of the Muface General Directorate in madrid at 12.30pm to defend the maintenance of the healthcare model of administrative mutualism due to the lack of agreement between the Government and insurers to renew the validity of the current Muface concert.
The concentration, supported by the police union Jupol and the Guardia Civil association Jucil, is part of the calendar of mobilizations in defense of administrative mutualism, which began on 11 November with a demonstration in Madrid in front of the Ministry of Finance and the sub-delegations of the government of all Spain a Also ask the Government to unblock collective bargaining improve the working conditions of all public employees.
From the CSIF they have indicated the mobilization in which they will participate mutualists from all parts of Spainit will be carried out with the aim of asking the Government to launch a “sufficiently advantageous” tender to guarantee the continuity of the system.
Likewise, the union assured that the protests will continue in case the government continues without reacting and without guarantee the continuity of the Muface model “with quality healthcare.”
“The Minister of Public Service continues to not respond to our request for an urgent meeting to explain, Thus,the CSIF will increase the pressure on the government until it reacts by calling for a partial and total strike in the management,” the CSIF denounced.
This wednesday the trade unions UGT, CCOO, ANPE, USO, ADIDE, USIE, UFP, ACAIP and SIAT they also gathered to ask that the Government and insurers finalize “as soon as possible” an agreement for Muface that guarantees healthcare and quality for public employees.
The CSIF takes the complaints to Brussels
The public workers union brought the There have been “hundreds” of complaints received in recent weeks Mutualists report that clinics are cancelling, delaying and suspending medical visits and surgeries due to uncertainty over the healthcare agreement.
These complaints were reported by the union to the Guarantor last Monday and submitted to the Congress of Deputies with the aim that parliamentary groups propose initiatives to defend the healthcare received by the 1.5 million members of Muface Muface.
By submitting these complaints to Brussels, the union seeks to do so of both the European Parliament and the Commission know the situation in which public employees and their families assisted by muface find themselves so that “he can take the actions he deems necessary”.
Adeslas, Asisa and DKV
The three insurers that are now looking at Muface (Adeslas, Asisa and DKV) did not submit themselves to the new tender for the years 2025 and 2026 announced by the management of Muface because the Government proposed an increase in premiums of 17.12%below the insurers’ request, which was around 40%.
During your stay the tender is null and voidthe Government has granted insurers a deadline of ten working days, from 21 November to 4 December, to communicate to Muface the price they would have provided for the healthcare service, specifying the fixed premiums that will have to be paid for each age group for each year of the concert (2025, 2026 and 2027).
The first call for the concert covered the period 2025-2026, but the preliminary consultation establishes a validity estimate of the new three-year concert, from 2025 to 2027.
At the end of the consultation period,Muface has collected the responses presented in a final report in which it indicates that insurers DKV and Asisa did not provide Muface with ”cost proof” on the overall premium they proposed to the health insurance company for the new healthcare contract,while Adeslas did not participate in saeid preliminary consultation.
With the information gathered in this consultation, and with this report, the Government plans to launch a new tender for the concert private healthcare of Muface officials by the end of the year, as indicated by the Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Service, Óscar López.
How do collective bargaining processes impact the working conditions and benefits of public employees in Spain?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Labor Relations Expert
Editor: Welcome, Dr. garcia, and thank you for joining us today. We’ve seen a significant mobilization organized by the Center for Self-reliant Trade Unions and Public Employees,or CSIF,calling for the preservation of the healthcare model of administrative mutualism. can you explain what administrative mutualism is and why it’s under threat?
Dr.Garcia: Thank you for having me. Administrative mutualism refers to a system where public employees access healthcare services not through the national health system but through mutual insurance funds.This model has been in place for some time, allowing public workers to have access to tailored healthcare services. Recently, however, there has been a lack of agreement between the Government and the insurers regarding the renewal of the current Muface concert, which has sparked concerns about the future of this system.
Editor: I see.The mobilization on December 14th in Madrid is meant to address these concerns. What do you think are the implications if the Government fails to renew the agreement?
Dr. Garcia: If the agreement isn’t renewed, we could see a decline in the quality of healthcare available to public employees. This has broader implications not only for their health and morale but also for the effective functioning of public services in Spain.Public employees are vital to the operation of government and local services, and any deterioration in their working conditions or benefits can have a cascading effect on the overall service delivery.
Editor: The CSIF mobilization was supported by police unions as well. Why do you think it garnered such wide support from various sectors?
Dr. garcia: That’s an crucial aspect. The issues at hand transcend individual sectors; they touch on a collective identity of public employees who share common challenges. When a major association like CSIF calls for action, it brings together diverse groups, including police and other civil service unions, under a united cause: improving working conditions and safeguarding essential services. This solidarity is crucial, especially in times of uncertainty.
Editor: You mentioned the request to unblock collective bargaining.Why is that a critical issue right now?
Dr. Garcia: Collective bargaining is basic in ensuring that the voices of public employees are heard. It allows for negotiations on salary, benefits, and working conditions. Current stagnation in these discussions can lead to dissatisfaction and unrest among public workers. This mobilization is also a push for the Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with unions,which is necessary for establishing fair and just conditions for workers.
Editor: What do you beleive the ultimate outcome of these mobilizations will be? Will they bring about change?
Dr. Garcia: History shows us that sustained mobilizations can create pressure for change. Whether through public awareness, dialogue, or political influence, the collective action of workers aiming for their rights can lead to negotiations and potential resolutions. However, it ultimately depends on how the Government responds to this growing movement and whether they are willing to prioritize the well-being of public employees.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Garcia, for your insights. It’s clear that the situation surrounding the Muface concert and administrative mutualism is complex yet crucial for public service in Spain. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how this situation develops.
Dr. Garcia: Thank you for having me. It’s important to keep the conversation going on these vital issues.