Spanish doctors will begin an indefinite strike in October to protest the proposed Marco Statute, according to El Diario Vasco. The action follows the collapse of negotiations between medical unions and the Ministry of Health.
The strike is a direct response to the Marco Statute, a framework law that would reshape working conditions for doctors in Spain’s public health system. Medical unions say the talks with the ministry are exhausted, as reported by El Confidencial.
The statute’s future is now uncertain, with Diario Público noting it faces a difficult path in Congress due to a lack of parliamentary support. The doctors’ protest adds pressure on lawmakers as the bill moves forward.
Health Minister Mónica García has acknowledged regional divisions over the statute, telling RTVE.es that some autonomous communities refuse to eliminate 24-hour shifts for doctors. That issue is among the key sticking points driving the unions’ decision.
Redacción médica confirms the unions have declared the negotiation phase over and are pushing ahead with the indefinite strike from October. The walkout would affect hospitals and health centers across the country, though specific dates or participation numbers have not been disclosed.
The Marco Statute has been a contentious issue for months, with doctors demanding better pay, safer shift limits, and clearer career paths. Unions argue the current draft does not address these core concerns.
What to watch next: whether the Spanish parliament can secure enough votes to pass the statute before the strike begins, or if last-minute talks will resume.
