Union Challenges Unpaid Leave Directive

Satse Catalunya has formally challenged the Institut Català de la Salut (ICS) over its reported instruction that healthcare professionals working continuous care shifts on 29 November will not be paid for time taken to vote. The union filed a complaint on Friday 30 October, demanding the ICS immediately reverse its position. It warns the policy could financially penalise nurses, midwives, and physiotherapists who work during the general election, despite their right to paid electoral leave under standard labour provisions. According to Satse, several ICS departments have informed staff scheduled for supplementary or continuous care duties that only hours actually worked will be compensated, and voting time will not be included.

Right to Vote Must Not Carry Cost

Satse argues that democratic participation must not come at an economic cost to essential workers who maintain healthcare services every day, including weekends and public holidays. The union stresses that paid leave to vote is guaranteed for all employees working on election day and that no exception should apply based on shift type or care continuity arrangements.

Democratic participation cannot entail any economic penalty for healthcare professionals who keep the health system running all year round.

This action follows the union's broader concerns about ICS compliance with the III Agreement on Working Conditions, signed in November 2023, which remains partially unimplemented as of early 2025, according to a separate statement on its website. Workers affected by the unpaid voting directive are encouraged to report incidents via the ICS whistleblowing channel.

Election Day: 29 November

General elections in Spain are scheduled for Sunday 29 November 2026. Employers are legally required to grant reasonable paid time off for employees to vote during working hours. The ICS has not yet issued a public response to Satse's complaint. The union is calling for an immediate clarification to ensure all healthcare staff can exercise their right to vote without financial loss.

Sources: Europa Press, Generalitat de Catalunya.