Trade unions denounce the employers' use of absenteeism in the mobilizations of Occupational Health Day

On International Day of Safety and Health at Work, the Basque trade unions have denounced the "interested" use of the concept of absenteeismby employers in their mobilizations and activities in Donostia and Bilbao.

The unions LAB, ESK, STEILAS, EHNE-Etxalde and HIRU have mobilised together in San Sebastián under the slogan Absenteeism: it is lying. Let us defend our labour rights! These unions have denounced that " the absenteeism to which the employers so much refer is nothing more than the precariousness of the workers ", in a demonstration that has ended at the headquarters of the Basque Government.

They have stressed that "there is no day without news of absenteeism" and have denounced the "unstrict use" of this concept by employers to spread the "idea of widespread fraud", which they have explained includes " even rightsacquired through combat ", such as conciliatory measures or temporary EREs.

In addition, the 84 workers who died in the Basque Country in 2025 while working have been remembered, as well as "the reality of those who died and suffered physical and mental harm as a result of occupational diseases". 

The ELA union has also denounced the "misuse" of the concept of absenteeism in Bilbao at an event and demonstration that has brought together 400 delegates. Absenteeism in the Basque Country is 0%. In the face of criminalization, they have taken to the streets with the slogan Prevention to the front line!

The Occupational Health Delegate, Andoni Larralde, has denounced the employers' use of the "crusade against absenteeism" to justify control and punishment measures. The real problem, he said, is "presentism": forcing many workers to go to work incompletely.

He also criticizes the growing role that mutual societies and private companies are taking in the control of casualties, leading to the covert privatisation of the health system.

UGT has gathered delegates in Bilbao's Moyua Square to demand "zero tolerance" for occupational accidents and has reported that at least 13 people have died in the ACV so far this year.

In addition, the union leader, Tximi Lopez, wanted to send a message to employers about the references to absenteeism, criticizing the "lack of empathy" with workers and the "lack of analysis" of the causes of job losses.

"We remind employers who insist so much on talking about absenteeism that those who lose their lives at work do not leave the next day or do so on purpose, the same is true of those who are on medical leave," he said.

Finally, the CCOO union has held an assembly and a demonstration in Bilbao to denounce the "exploitation" of unpaid overtime. Alfonso Ríos, responsible for occupational health, explains that last year 270,000 overtime hours were performed in the ACV and half of them were not paid.

This fact, in his view, invalidates the employers' discourse about absenteeism: "There is no absenteeism here," he said, adding that "some companies are merelyexploiting the working class. "

CCOO has stressed that extending working hours, increasing rhythms and standardizing free work increase fatigue, stress and exposure to occupational risks.