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Diario PYME

Work Absenteeism in the Canary Islands Costs 3 Billion Euros

Approximately 70,000 workers are absent from their jobs daily in the Archipelago, placing the region among those with the highest absenteeism rates in Spain.

Generic image of a calendar with a marked day, symbolizing work absenteeism.
IA

Generic image of a calendar with a marked day, symbolizing work absenteeism.

Work absenteeism in the Canary Islands has surged since the pandemic, with 70,000 workers absent daily, incurring an annual cost of 3 billion euros for businesses in the Archipelago.

The absenteeism rate in the Canary Islands has reached 9%, exceeding the national average by 2.1 points and positioning the region among the top three autonomous communities with the highest values. This situation, highlighted by employers as a hindrance to business activity and economic development, fuels an ongoing debate between business associations and trade unions regarding its causes and potential solutions.
The term 'absenteeism' encompasses both justified absences, such as medical leave due to temporary incapacity (IT), which accounts for 8% of daily absences, and unjustified absences, representing only 1%. Businesses insist that any type of absence leads to additional costs and affects productivity, activity reorganization, and service quality.
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"We need social dialogue to move beyond good intentions and become a real space for shared solutions. With commitment from all parties, with concrete measures, and with the urgency that the situation demands."

the president of CEOE-Tenerife
According to the latest report from the Mutua de Accidentes de Canarias (MAC), temporary incapacity absenteeism figures have increased by 0.8 points compared to last year. 94% of these cases are due to common illnesses, which have risen by 115% since 2021, while professional pathologies have decreased by 27%. The main causes of common contingency leave are musculoskeletal conditions, injuries, and, in third place, psychosocial disorders.
Employers and trade unions hold opposing views on the reasons for the increase. While business associations point to a relaxation in the system for accessing sick leave and a lack of medical inspectors, unions like Comisiones Obreras (CC OO) and UGT argue that the rise is due to employment growth, lack of automation, work overload, and inadequate public healthcare funding, leading workers to prioritize their health.
To address this issue, the Government of the Canary Islands has established a working group with employers and unions. However, the business sector criticizes that the administration should first resolve absenteeism among its own public employees, which, according to some sources, doubles that of the private sector. In 2024, the Social Security allocated almost 450 million euros to temporary incapacity benefits in the Canary Islands, a figure that continues to rise.

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