> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://barna.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Social Workers Rally for Better Pay in Barcelona - URL: https://barna.news/social-workers-rally-for-better-pay-in/ - Published: 2026-10-07T15:04:13.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-07T15:06:40.000Z - Description: Hundreds marched from Parc de la Ciutadella to demand dignified wages and working conditions in Catalonia's social services sector. - Author: Barna.News - Tags: Community ## Protest Highlights Sector's Precarious Conditions Hundreds of social services workers took to the streets of Barcelona this morning, 7 October 2026, in a historic mobilisation marking the first-ever strike across Catalonia’s entire social services sector. The demonstration began at 10:00 at Parc de la Ciutadella’s Porta del Zoo, with participants marching towards the headquarters of Foment del Treball to demand improved salaries, stable staffing, and full implementation of a sectoral funding agreement. Convened by trade unions UGT de Catalunya and CC.OO. de Catalunya, the strike coincided with a broader day of action affecting both public and private social services. The action includes all shifts running from 00:00 to 23:59 on 7 October, including those starting on 6 October and ending the next day. It covers professionals working in elderly care, disability support, mental health, child protection, social inclusion, and home care services (SAD), among others. ## Call for Wage Equality and Implementation of 2026 Agreement The protest follows the signing in May 2026 of the Acord Sectorial de Bases with the Generalitat de Catalunya, which laid out a framework for increased public funding and salary alignment with the public sector by 2030\. However, unions say employers have blocked progress on the required Acord Marc de Serveis Socials, delaying wage improvements despite higher tariffs being approved. > The vocation doesn't pay the bills nor justify precariousness. This slogan, printed on banners and leaflets distributed during the march, underscored workers’ frustration. Camil Ros, general secretary of UGT de Catalunya, told journalists that third-sector social workers remain among the worst-paid, despite performing essential roles in the welfare state. He insisted that funding increases must directly benefit workers’ salaries. Belén López, general secretary of CC.OO. de Catalunya, called for a national care system on par with education and healthcare. She stressed the need for a binding timeline to achieve salary equalisation by 2030 and highlighted the emotional toll of under-resourced work. ## Demand for Accountability from Employers and Government Participants carried a coffin marked 'RIP' listing various social service fields, symbolising the sector’s decline under prolonged underfunding. The main banner read: 'For Dignified and Quality Social Services'. Chants such as 'Their wealth is our poverty' and 'Strike, strike, strike' echoed through the city centre. Unions demand immediate signing of the Acord Marc and a minimum sectoral wage of €19,600, as outlined in their joint manifesto. They also called on the Department of Social Rights to enforce compliance, noting that under the May 2026 agreement, the Generalitat is responsible for ensuring that increased funding reaches workers’ pay packets. The demonstration concluded without reports of incidents. Services affected by the strike include non-urgent care and administrative functions, though emergency provisions remained in place. --- ## What's Next for the Sector? Union leaders said further actions could follow if negotiations remain stalled. Workers are calling for urgent talks with employer organisations and the Generalitat to resolve the deadlock. The mobilisation reflects growing pressure to recognise social care as a fundamental pillar of public welfare, equal to health and education. --- *Reported by europapress.es, europapress.tv, ccoo.app, ccoo.cat, ugt.cat, webmaster@radiobalaguer.cat, nuevaeconomiaforum.org, CCOO Sanitat, catac.cat, es.ccoo.cat, Europa Press Barcelona.* --- ### Related on Barna.News - [Hospital del Mar unit offers 15 recovery places](https://barna.news/hospital-del-mar-unit-offers-15/) - [Council aids storm-hit residents without appointment](https://barna.news/council-aids-storm-hit-residents/) - [Sant Pau Honours Healthcare Social Workers Today](https://barna.news/sant-pau-honours-healthcare-social/) - [Barcelona Council Warns Elder Fraud Risks](https://barna.news/barcelona-council-warns-elder-fraud/)