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Doctors across Spain have entered the fourth week of strike action this year, with unions warning that “if they don’t negotiate, there will be an indefinite strike after the summer,” as tensions with the Ministry of Health continue to rise.

 

The dispute centres on the government’s proposed Framework Statute, which medical unions argue does not reflect the reality of their working conditions. Despite repeated meetings earlier in the year, there has been no significant progress, and unions say they have received no meaningful response to their latest proposals.

 

Back in December, strike action had been paused after what were described as breakthrough talks with the Ministry. However, momentum has since collapsed, and the situation has escalated again following renewed walkouts in April.

 

The current strike is set to continue until Friday May 22, with demonstrations planned across the country, including a main protest scheduled for Wednesday May 20 outside the Ministry of Health. Union leaders insist they are seeking a dedicated medical statute, a 35-hour working week, regulated on-call shifts and a fairer professional classification system based on training and responsibility.

 

Health Minister Mónica García has accused unions of hiding political motives and argues that many of the requested improvements are already included within current legal frameworks. She has also urged regional governments to implement available measures to reduce tensions, pointing to recent agreements reached in several autonomous communities.

 

In the Region of Murcia, participation figures highlight the divided impact of the strike. According to the CESM Medical Union, 54% of hospital doctors joined the strike, alongside 33% in primary care. The demonstrations have included daily workplace rallies, with doctors arguing that they are overworked and under-recognised within the current system.

 

Union representatives say negotiations have effectively stalled, with no fresh contact from the Ministry in recent weeks. They maintain that the strike is aimed at securing safer staffing levels, reduced workloads and better long-term conditions for healthcare professionals.

 

In Alicante and the wider Valencian Community, unions report very high participation, claiming up to 90% support among doctors, although regional authorities put the figure at just 11.65%. The conflict has already led to the cancellation of more than 270,000 medical appointments across the region, affecting both hospital and primary care services.

 

Protests have been held outside hospitals, with further demonstrations planned in Alicante city, where unions continue to press for direct negotiations and a dedicated framework for the medical profession.

 

In Andalucía, the latest strike´s official participation recorded at 18.46% overall. Figures vary widely by province, with higher levels in areas such as Almería and Málaga.

 

The Andalusian Medical Union says more than one million healthcare activities have been cancelled during previous strike periods, highlighting the scale of disruption. Despite this, union leaders insist they will continue until their demands are addressed, including improved working hours, staffing levels and retirement conditions.

 

As the dispute continues with no clear resolution in sight, both sides remain entrenched, and unions are already warning that further action could extend well beyond the summer if negotiations do not restart in earnest.