The platform for those affected by the non-convening of the transfer competition for permanent family doctors and pediatricians in Primary Care has reported various irregularities in the public employment stabilization process across the archipelago. According to a spokesperson for the group, administrative measures are leading to unjustified displacements, a significant lack of transparency, and potential discrimination among healthcare staff.

For over two years, the collective requested a transfer competition be held before the Public Employment Offer (OPE) for stabilization. The aim was to allow professionals with permanent positions to opt for better destinations before these positions were offered in the process. However, these requests were not addressed by officials from the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS).

Currently, the stabilization process continues, with definitive appointments already published in specialties such as pediatrics. This situation has created controversy, as positions held for years by permanent staff on service commissions are being awarded to interim staff who have stabilized their positions through merit-based competitions. This means a professional with over two decades of experience in a health center could be unexpectedly dismissed.

Those affected criticize the lack of clarity in the process and question the inclusion of positions held on service commissions in the stabilization. Furthermore, they point out that Law 20/2021, of December 28, on urgent measures to reduce temporary employment in the public sector, is being used to “secure the best positions for interim staff.”

The platform, comprising 99 professionals, has also reported irregularities in the latest transfer competition, which includes only 128 positions and uses time worked as the sole evaluation criterion, excluding other merits such as training or academic records. This situation particularly disadvantages younger doctors and could constitute indirect age discrimination, as well as gender discrimination, by not counting the time spent as a resident medical intern (MIR), which affects women who interrupted their training due to pregnancy.

The group has filed complaints with the Diputada del Común and the Canary Islands Institute of Equality, and has taken the case to the Supreme Court, awaiting a ruling. The Ministry of Health clarifies that permanent staff on service commissions do not own the position, and permanent professionals hold their definitive positions obtained through their respective OPEs.

Additionally, the Asamblea 7 Islas has urged the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands and health center managements to urgently facilitate service commissions for candidates and staff awaiting a transfer competition, especially those working outside their home island. This situation forces many to decline awarded positions due to high living and transport costs, affecting thousands of workers who have been waiting for a transfer for over a decade.