The Ministry of Social Security has responded to the protests of scientists regarding a controversial order approved by the department headed by Elma Saiz in May. This order allows scholarship recipients to buy their unpaid internship periods for around 290 euros per month and incorporate them into their contribution career for pension calculation. After a meeting with social agents at the Ministry’s headquarters in Madrid, the Secretary of State for Social Security and Pensions, Borja Suárez, acknowledged that the measure originated from social dialogue. He mentioned that while no alternative proposal was presented by his department, they were open to listening to all contributions and possibly adopting additional measures.
The group of scientific researchers is critical of the order, citing issues with the inclusion of unpaid internship periods and the calculation of pension contributions based on outdated regulations. Unions are advocating for a correction to the ministerial order to address these concerns and align with past agreements in the social sector. However, time is running out for negotiations, as the order is set to come into force on June 1. Despite this pressure, other important matters such as reducing coefficients for anticipating retirement age and access to partial retirement are on hold for now.
The controversy surrounding the internship period calculation for retirement is part of broader pension reforms initiated earlier this year. Unions are eager to receive concrete proposals from the Ministry to continue discussions on a new framework. While this issue dominates public discourse, other important matters are also being discussed at different levels of government.
In response to concerns raised by scientists about including unpaid internship periods in pension calculations, Elma Saiz’s department issued an order allowing scholarship recipients to purchase their unpaid internships at around 290 euros per month.
The ministry has now transferred this issue to social dialogue ahead of its meeting with the Confederation of Scientific Societies of Spain.
The scientific community has expressed strong criticism towards this move citing issues with including unpaid internships in pension contributions based on outdated regulations.
Unions have advocated for a correction of this ministerial order and alignment with past agreements in the social sector.
However, negotiations have been put on hold as time runs out before June 1 when the order takes effect.
Other important issues such as reducing coefficients for anticipating retirement age and accessing partial retirement remain on hold while attention remains focused solely on this issue.