The escalating issue of absenteeism has become a major concern for Spanish businesses, with over 1.7 million workers missing work each day due to illness. This situation has sparked significant controversy, particularly after Antonio Garamendi, president of the Confederation of Spanish Employers (CEOE), proposed that companies stop paying for sick leave costs, shifting the financial burden entirely onto the Social Security system. According to data from The Adecco Group Institute, the annual absence rate reached 7.68% in 2025, up from 7.26% in 2024 and significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. This means approximately 1.6 to 1.7 million individuals are absent daily, with around 1.27 million on medical leave due to temporary disability (IT). The fourth quarter of 2025 saw the highest recorded absence rate of 7.88%.
The economic implications are staggering, with companies bearing a cost of 17 billion euros annually for these absences, while the Social Security system covers another 16 billion euros. Combined, this totals 33 billion euros per year. The CEOE argues that this represents a structural challenge for Spain's labor market, affecting productivity, competitiveness, and business operations. Companies face additional pressures such as increased turnover costs, difficulties in scheduling shifts, and challenges in maintaining workforce coverage. The increase in absenteeism is largely attributed to rising rates of IT, which now stand at 5.97%, driven by factors including an aging population, growing mental health issues, and longer medical processes. Each worker loses about 10.9 hours of work per month due to absences, further compounding the problem.
Garamendi’s proposal during a special meeting organized by the CEOE highlights his call for the Social Security system to cover the full cost of the first 15 days of IT, including both salary payments and social security contributions. Currently, companies bear the cost from day four to day 15, while the Social Security system takes over from day 16 onwards. Garamendi emphasized that nearly 69% of current IT cases last less than 15 days, meaning the majority of the financial burden falls on employers. He also suggested that companies should be exempted from social security contributions for IT lasting more than a year, citing bottlenecks in the National Institute of Social Security (INSS). Additionally, he advocated for the Social Security system to cover the costs of temporary replacement contracts used to fill positions left vacant by employees on leave.
Business leaders have raised concerns about the broader societal and economic impacts of the increasing number of medical leaves. They argue that this is not merely an economic issue but a national problem requiring comprehensive solutions. During the CEOE meeting, representatives from various sectors highlighted the need for measures such as allowing mutual insurance companies to grant medical discharge for common illnesses, reinstating the possibility of dismissal due to absenteeism, and reducing salary supplements agreed upon in recent collective agreements. These proposals aim to address the root causes of absenteeism, including the inefficiencies within the public healthcare and social security systems.
The discussion also touched on the need for reforms in the legal framework governing employment, with some business leaders calling for stricter enforcement of existing laws to prevent abuse of the system. There was a consensus among participants that the current legislation allows for too much flexibility, leading to situations where employees might exploit their rights without facing consequences. Some voices called for the reintroduction of the right to dismiss employees based on absenteeism, a measure previously abolished by the government in 2020. Others pointed to the need for better coordination between the public health services and social security institutions to streamline the process of granting and ending medical leaves.
The CEOE's push for change comes amid heightened tensions between the business community and the government. Recent internal conflicts within the organization have led to unexpected electoral procedures being initiated earlier than planned. Antonio Garamendi has accelerated the schedule for elections, aiming to finalize the date before November when the Ibero-American Summit will take place in Madrid. This move reflects the complex dynamics within the CEOE, where internal disputes and political pressures intersect with the urgent need to address the growing issue of absenteeism. As the debate continues, the focus remains on finding sustainable solutions that balance the interests of both employers and employees, ensuring the stability and competitiveness of Spain's economy.
5 reports
El MundoIndependent🔒CenterFactual 95Objective 8513 days agoAntonio Garamendi, president of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), has unexpectedly accelerated the electoral process to select a new president before November. Originally scheduled for July 15, an extraordinary meeting was called for July 1 to discuss the electoral assembly, which will determine the date of the election. The CEOE aims to finalize the election date by July to avoid overlapping with the Ibero-American Summit in Madrid in early November. This move comes amid internal tensions within the organization, including recent allegations involving a 'protected informant' who accused Garamendi of issues related to internal management and recent electoral processes, particularly within the association of small and medium-sized enterprises (Cepyme). These tensions were further exacerbated by last year’s elections, where Garamendi-backed candidate Ángela de Miguel narrowly defeated incumbent Gerardo Cuerva, leading to divisions within the organization.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation objectively, focusing on procedural decisions made by the CEOE leadership without overtly favoring any side. It includes quotes from both official sources and unnamed insiders but does not take a stance on the legitimacy of the accelerated process or the internal纷争
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 85): The article accurately reports on the unexpected early call for an extraordinary meeting by CEOE's president, citing specific dates and reasons. It aligns with the cross-source consensus on the timeline shift. Slight subjectivity in phrasing like 'precipitado' may lean slightly towards criticism.
El MundoIndependent🔒ConservativeFactual 92Objective 7018 days ago The dramatic escalation of absenteeism or why Garamendi does not want to pay the casualties: up to 1.7 million people miss their workplace every dayThe article discusses the growing issue of absenteeism in Spain, highlighting the economic burden it places on businesses and the social security system. According to The Adecco Group Institute, between 1.6 and 1.7 million people miss work daily. The president of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), Antonio Garamendi, has proposed that companies stop covering the costs of employee sick leave, shifting the financial responsibility entirely to the Social Security system.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the issue through the perspective of business leaders, emphasizing their financial burden and quoting Antonio Garamendi’s controversial proposal. It presents the proposal without significant counterarguments or alternative viewpoints, potentially reinforcing a narrative that align
Why these scores (Factual 92 · Objective 70): Provides detailed statistics and quotes from Adecco and Garamendi. The article presents the issue with some alarmist language ('dramática escalada') but remains largely factual. Objectivity is lower due to emphasis on the severity of the problem.
El PaísIndependent🔒ConservativeFactual 90Objective 7520 days agoThe CEOE (Confederación Española de Empresas de Hostelería) has raised concerns about increasing absenteeism due to workers' sick leave, arguing that it poses a national problem. During an event organized by the CEOE, business leaders called for measures to address this issue. The organization's president, Antonio Garamendi, suggested that if no action is taken to reduce absenteeism, the Social Security system should cover the first 15 days of a worker’s absence, including salary costs and expenses related to hiring temporary replacements.
Bias read (Conservative): The article presents the CEOE's perspective without counterpoints or alternative viewpoints, emphasizing the economic burden on businesses and suggesting a policy shift where the state would bear part of the cost. This framing aligns with a right-leaning emphasis on reducing regulatory burdens on企业,
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 75): Accurately summarizes Garamendi's position and includes direct quotes. However, the language used ('salida en tromba', 'llamada de atención') suggests a more critical stance towards the government, affecting objectivity.
El MundoIndependent🔒ConservativeFactual 90Objective 7520 days ago Garamendi demands that companies stop paying workers for leave if the government does not take steps to tackle the absenteeism crisisThe president of Spain's Confederation of Spanish Employers' Organizations (CEOE), Antonio Garamendi, has called on companies to stop paying employees on medical leave if the government does not take effective measures to reduce absenteeism. He argued that businesses should not bear the financial burden of employee absences caused by illness unless the government addresses the issue. Garamendi proposed several measures to tackle the problem, which he described as a national issue costing up to €33 billion.
Bias read (Conservative): The article presents the CEOE president's call for companies to stop covering costs of sick leave as a solution to a national economic problem. The framing emphasizes corporate responsibility and implies that the government is failing to act, aligning with a right-leaning perspective that prioritzes
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 75): Reports Garamendi's proposal accurately but uses emotionally charged language such as 'millonaria factura' and 'crítico'. While facts are correct, the tone leans toward criticism of the government and employers, reducing objectivity.
elDiario.esIndependentConservativeFactual 88Objective 7020 days agoBusiness leaders in Spain have expressed concern over the rising number of medical absences among workers, calling it a national issue. The CEOE, Spain's main employers' association, organized an event in Madrid where various proposals were discussed, including allowing mutuals to grant medical discharge for common illnesses and reinstating dismissal due to absenteeism, which was abolished by the government in 2020. Regional business organizations also addressed the issue, with some highlighting the social factors contributing to increased sick leave, particularly since the pandemic. Some CEOs
Bias read (Conservative): The article presents the perspective of business groups advocating for stricter measures against absenteeism, such as reinstating dismissals and allowing mutuals to discharge employees for common illnesses. These proposals align with conservative economic policies focused on labor market discipline.
Why these scores (Factual 88 · Objective 70): Reports on the proposals made during the CEOE event, including calls for mutuals to give medical high and reinstating dismissal for absenteeism. While factual, the article emphasizes the concerns of business leaders and frames the issue as a societal problem, reducing neutrality.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €5/month.
Become a Supporter
Spain
