The Independent Fiscal Responsibility Authority (AIReF) has suggested improving the competencies of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) to achieve better control over sick leave, due to the increase in incidence in recent years. The AIReF released reports on expenditure reviews for the period 2022-2026, which include temporary disability, official development assistance, and the minimum vital income (IMV). In the case of temporary disability, the analysis indicates that the absence rate has increased by 60% between 2017 and 2024, with a 15% rise in average duration and spending exceeding €16.5 billion, which has tripled since 2014. This figure has become the second-largest item in Social Security, only surpassed by pensions. It also mentions the changes in regulations since 2018, the year the coalition government led by Pedro Sánchez took office, which lifted limitations and increased economic protection.
The AIReF requests that Social Security take action to control sick leave, which has surged by 60% since 2017.
