75% of absences from work in the ACV are due to temporary incapacity and not absenteeism, according to an LAB report
The union denounces that "mass fraud" is not absenteeism, but the declaration of occupational diseases as a common disease.
According to a report by the Ipar Hegoa Foundation on absenteeism in the ACV, commissioned by LAB, most of what employers consider absenteeism is temporary incapacity, 75% of absences from work, and 11.7% are parental leave and 0.4% are union hours.
Ikusmira 21 was presented today in Bilbao by Inko Iriarte, Head of Occupational Health at LAB, and Edurne Larrañaga, Head of Analysis.
Inko Iriarte has stressed that "the number of people in the Basque Country who do not go to work without giving reasons is negligible, since almost 100% of what is considered an absenteeism rate corresponds to temporary incapacity, parental or care leave and union hours of representatives ".
It therefore stresses that "the days that employers consider absenteeism relate to the rights of workers to occupational health, leave or union hours".
According to Iriarte, the report shows that "the reality behind this concept, which they call absenteeism, is very different from what they say," but " employers use it to curtail workers' rights "and" hide the gaps in business prevention systems. "
The report also cites data from Osalan to show that the prevention system is failing, as the occupational health organization reported that "the number of occupational diseases increased by 8.8% in April 2025".
Mutes, accomplices
In this regard, the head of LAB believes that "mutual societies behave actively in defenceof the interests of companies ", since" occupational diseases are classified as common diseases to the detriment of the worker ".
"That's the real big scam, "Iriarte stresses," and not of the workers, but of the employers and the mutes: "There's fraud in classifying occupational diseases as common."
The study also shows that "many workers" do not exercise their rights, do not take permits to "avoid the company's response." "As long as they talk about absenteeism, this reality remains there despite the serious consequences for health and employment relations," he adds.
You might like
Volkswagen will cut 50,000 more jobs, half in Germany and the rest in Europe
The Volkswagen group is in crisis due to strong competition from Chinese manufacturers in Europe, declining sales in China and tariffs in the United States.
France announces aid to farmers affected by drought
Farmers' representatives will meet next week with the French Ministry of Agriculture to convey their demands. The effects of drought and heat are being felt economically, but also physically and mentally.
A worker died in an accident at a winery in Lanciego
The incident took place around 12:20 p.m. and the circumstances of the incident are being investigated. Emergency services have been moved to the scene, but the operator's life has not been saved.
A new tax on fast and cheap clothing is introduced in France
Asian giants like Shein or Temu will now have to pay penalty rates of between 50 cents and 12 euros per garment.
The diesel discount goes up to 20 cents per litre, and the gasoline discount goes down to 5 cents
The tax rebate on diesel has doubled since today, while petrol has halved.
The Basque Government will meet again this Tuesday with farmers to assess the impact of the drought
Agricultural associations and trade unions, among others, want the ACV to be declared a drought zone and special measures to be taken. The meeting will take place at 4 p.m. at the headquarters of the Basque Government in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Trade unions and employers sign the first agreement on nursing homes in Navarre
After more than five years of negotiations, trade unions and employers have signed the agreement today, which will involve more than 5,000 workers.
The electricity bill has risen 19% in August, reaching its highest level since 2022
Rising demand in heat waves and rising natural gas prices will make an average user's receipt about EUR 14 more expensive.
The 20 cent diesel rebate will come into effect on Tuesday
The measure, which has so far been reduced by 10 cents per litre, aims to combat fuel prices by 15.7% in July.
The September hill this year will be one of the hardest in years
With the return to work, the families of the Basque Country face another reality, which is that this year's September hill will be one of the hardest in recent years, as evidenced by inflation at 4.3%, a figure not seen since February 2023.